Is Smith the best player of his generation? It's hard to argue against it: Ricky Ponting

Steve Smith recently advanced into the elusive list of cricketers with 10,000 Test runs during the opening day of the two-match Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. He became the 15th Test batter to achieve the feat, becoming the fifth-quickest to reach to the landmark. He even notched up his 35th Test ton towards the end of the day's play. 

Meanwhile, former Australian World Cup-winning skipper, Ricky Ponting, recently opened up on Smith and his competitors in the longest format of the game.

"Is he the best player of his generation? It's hard to argue against it. Joe Root is the other one now, and [Kane] Williamson's record is outstanding as well. Joe's last couple of years have elevated him right back up there, I think. Five or six years ago, when this big four emerged, with [Virat] Kohli being one of those as well, Joe was probably down near the bottom part of that because he hadn't made the hundreds the other guys had made, but he's made 19 hundreds in the past four years," Ponting was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.

"If you asked an Englishman, they'd say Joe Root, if you asked an Aussie, they'd say Steve Smith, and if you asked a Kiwi, they'd say Kane Williamson. So, it's a tough one, but on the numbers themselves, it's pretty hard to argue against what he's done," he added.

Khawaja, Smith pile misery on Sri Lanka

Australia have positioned themselves in a commanding situation after centuries from Usman Khawaja and Smith propelled them to 330/2 at the end of 81.1 overs. Khawaja and Smith ended the day on 147* and 104*, respectively.

Also Read: Michael Vaughan lauds Steve Smith for crossing 10,000-run mark, compares him with Don Bradman

Earlier in the day, Smith won the toss and opted to bat first. Travis Head registered a quickfire half-century, with his dynamic style of play laying the foundation for the batters to follow. Head was dismissed for a 40-ball 57.