Steve Smith matching Don Bradman in Tests like never before

The Australian skipper Steve Smith has been in prolific form in the ongoing Ashes series at home which they clinched by winning in Perth on the final day. The WACA witnessed a dominating performance by the hosts in its farewell game at the highest level. Smith himself scored a record-breaking 239 runs alone as he was supported by Mitchell Marsh by smashing 181 runs. However, the Aussie skipper is matching Don Bradman in terms of ratings and the average in the longest format of the game.

Smith, on the back of the scintillating knock in the third Ashes Test, has attained the best ever ratings as the batsman in his career. He is currently the number 1 batsman in whites and is holding the position for almost two years now. His ratings increased to 945 after his recent innings which are only the second best to Don Bradman ever in the history of Test cricket. Don had the most rating points 961 and Smith has equalled Jack Hobbs, another legendary cricketer, now who also had 945 rating points.

Second-best Test average

Steve Smith is also only second to Don Bradman as far as the batting average in Tests is concerned. His marathon knock of 239 has taken him past Adam Voges in terms of his batting average which is now 62.32. Bradman finished his career with an absolutely awesome average of 99.94 and Adam Voges was second to him so far with 61.87 as he is also unlikely to play for his country again. Smith is expected to bridge the difference between him and Don in the upcoming Tests as he is immensely consistent. The Australian team will also look up to him as they are aiming to whitewash England now.

Even the ratings will automatically increase with few more memorable performances in the remaining couple of Tests. Currently, he leads the Indian skipper Virat Kohli by a whopping 52 rating points who has 893 points to his name. The tussle between is going on for a long time and it will continue in 2018 as well with India playing South Africa in their own den. Australia will also face South Africa, albeit at home in March later next year.

Table: Highest ratings in Test cricket