On his return to Test cricket after more than a year, Steve Smith notched up two centuries in the first Test of Ashes 2019, which were instrumental in Australia’s victory. Following the second Test at Lord’s, which ended in a draw, Smith averaged 63.24 in the format - currently the second-highest the all time list after Don Bradman. Among Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root - arguably the best Test batsmen currently active - the former Australian skipper has raced ahead of the pack.
Career graph
Smith had a relatively sedate start compared to Kohli and Root but has been well-ahead of Williamson throughout his career. Smith overtook Kohli after the first 24 matches when the latter’s average dropped below 40. After his 40th Test in 2016, the Australian has widened his lead over the others. The graph shows the progression of the four players’ career Test batting averages.
Race to the top
At the end of his 61st Test, Smith peaked with an average of 63.75. None of the other three has crossed the 60-mark.
Kohli and Williamson have been neck-and-neck since late-2016, though the Indian skipper is marginally better at present.
Root had the best numbers among the four until his 24th Test (April 2015) followed by a consistent slump and is currently the worst among the four. His slump has been particularly pronounced over the past year.
Home and away
Smith turned on the beast mode in his last 10 home Tests with his average zooming from 64 to 77. The gulf between him and the others at home was more noticeable while the gap was relatively narrow in away Tests. However, he is the only batsman to maintain an away average of over 50 consistently. The first graph shows the progression of the players’ career Test batting averages at home and the second graph shows the progression of their overseas career Test batting averages.
Home record
Away record
Root’s overall slump is largely because of his poor performance in England which slipped after the 34th home Test (August 2017). The dip accelerated during India’s 2018 tour.
Kohli’s record in India took a turn for the better after his 20th home Test (October 2016) following a lean patch which began in November 2015.
Williamson’s performance at home underwent a dramatic rise after his 14th Test (December 2014) during the Sri Lanka tour. His home average since then has dropped below 55 only twice.
Note: All data updated till the conclusion of the 2nd Ashes Test and the 1st Test of New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka. Data sourced from ESPN Cricinfo.
