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(From left) Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar (Agencies)
Steve Smith has overtaken the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in the list of most fifty-plus scores in ICC knockout matches. Smith is now only behind India batting superstar Virat Kohli after having scored a fine half-century on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship between Australia and South Africa at the historic Lord’s.
Smith scored 66 off 112, an innings featuring 10 fours as Australia were bowled out for 212 in 56.4 overs. The former captain fell to part-timer Aiden Markram.
Smith now has seven fifty-plus scores in ICC knockout matches – one more than Tendulkar who hit six such scores in 15 matches during his storied career.
Kohli is sitting pretty at the top with one century and nine half-century in such games. He’s also the only batter to accumulate 1000 or more runs in the knockouts having amassed 1,024 runs in 22 matches at an average of 51.20.
Later, Smith said he’s still trying to figure out how he ended up being dismissed by a part-time offspinner.
“Don’t nick the part-time off-spinner,” Smith said. “Down the slope. I’m still trying to fathom how I’ve done that. But yeah, don’t do that.”
Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the South African bowlers, taking a five-wicket haul – 5/51 from 15.4 overs. He was well supported by Marco Jansen who took 3/49 while Markram and Keshav Maharaj picked up a wicket each.
However, South Africa endured a top-order collapse before the close of play.
The first-time finalists lost Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs inside 21 overs. For Australia, Mitchell Starc took two wickets while Josh Hazlewood and skipper Pat Cummins chipped in with a wicket each as South Africa ended the day at 43/4 in 22 overs.
