13 Facts about Steven Smith: The cricketing genius

Steven Smith has been an ever-evolving cricketer. He is a perfect example of what an individual can achieve through hard work and perseverance. The talented cricketer began his career as the leg-spinner and then gradually developed into Australia’s premier batsman before becoming the leader of the national side by the age of 25. His growth at the international level has been phenomenal.

1.Born on:

Steven Peter Devereux Smith was born on June 2, 1989, Sydney, New South Wales

2. Mixed descent:

Smith is half-Aussie and half-English. His father Peter is an Australian while his mother Gillian Smith was an English mother.

3. Education:

He was educated at Menai High School, but at 17 he dropped out of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) to play cricket in England.

4. That nervous day in the principal’s office:

Smith was a good and popular student in his school for his cricketing prowess. At the age of 17, he decided to put greater emphasis on his cricket career than getting the Higher School Certificate and wished to leave school early. Accompanied by his junior coach, Trent Woodhill, Smith decides to express this desire to his school authorities. Smith remembers the day as sitting nervously in the principal’s office. The school authorities, including the Cricket New South Wales welfare officer, disapproved of his decision. But, Woodhill then came to his rescue and interrupted, saying, “No disrespect to the school, “but Steve’s going to make $1 million a year for a good ten years of his life. He’s that good a cricketer.

5. Comparison with Shane Warne:

Steve Smith, a leg-spinner during the early part of his career, was seen as the next spin bowling star of Australia cricket, drawing comparion with the great Shane Warne for bowling style.

6. Joins the prestigious club:

During the 4th Test against India in Sydney, Steven Smith joined Don Bradman (6), Neil Harvey, Jack Fingleton, and Matthew Hayden (4 each) as Australian centurions in four or more consecutive Tests, a streak Smith started during the 1st Test at Adelaide.

7. Becomes the Test skipper:

2014 home series against India was a special series for him. After playing the first Test as the vice-captain, Smith was chosen to lead Australia in the 2nd Test of the 2014–15 Border Gavaskar Trophy Test Series at Gabba after injury ruled out regular captain Michel Clarke out of the series.

8. Celebrates his captaincy with three back to back tons:

Smith became the first Australian skipper start his captaincy with three consecutive centuries. He toyed with the Indian bowlers and registered scores of 133, 192 and 192 at Gabba, MCG and SCG respectively. This feat also made him the second batsman since Jacques Kallis against West Indies to score a century in every match of a Test series.

9. Surpasses the Don of cricket:

During the same series, Smith also set a record for the most runs scored by an individual in a series against India. He amassed 769 runs at 128.16 and surpassed the previous record held by Don Bradman who made 715 runs in 1947 home series.

10. ICC cricketer of the year:

On 23 December 2015, Smith was awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for being named the ICC Cricketer of the Year as well as Test Cricketer of the Year for the 2014–15 season.

11. Captain Grumpy:

Smith is known as the second “Captain Grumpy” since Allan Border in media. He got his tag because of his highly critical nature.

12. Personal life:

Smith currently dates Dani Willis, a commerce and law student at Macquarie University. Both are together since 2011.

13. A keen horse racing fan:

Smith is also a keen horse racing fan. He has a share in four racehorses, three of which are with leading trainer Chris Waller.