Steve Smith Overtakes Don Bradman in Ashes Run-Scoring Record

Steven Smith added another landmark to his career on Tuesday, rewriting one of Australian cricket’s most enduring records during the final Test of the Ashes series against England in Sydney. His latest century took his aggregate runs against England past the mark set by Sir Donald Bradman, a figure that had stood for decades.

Batting on day three of the match, Smith brought up his 37th Test hundred with a controlled shot to the leg side, a moment that lifted his career tally against England to 5,085 runs. Bradman had scored 5,028 runs against the same opponents, a record long regarded as one of the benchmarks of Ashes history.

Smith now sits third on the all-time list of most international runs scored against a single opponent. Only India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 6,707 runs against Australia, and Virat Kohli, with 5,551 runs against the same opposition, remain ahead of him.

The achievement came during a commanding Australian innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Smith once again demonstrated his dominance in cricket’s oldest rivalry. It was his 13th century in Ashes Tests, placing him second only to Bradman, who scored 19 hundreds against England.

Speaking after play, Smith said the conditions at Sydney suited his style of batting and acknowledged the support he had received from teammates. “I’ve always enjoyed batting here,” he said, referring to the pitch and familiar surroundings at his home venue.

Smith’s record at the Sydney Cricket Ground further underlines his impact. He has now scored 1,225 Test runs at the venue at an average exceeding 70, including five centuries. Only former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has amassed more runs and hundreds at the ground in Test cricket.

Australia’s strong position in the match was built on a solid foundation laid earlier in the innings by Travis Head. Head scored a rapid 163, applying early pressure on England’s bowling attack and setting the tone for the rest of the innings. His performance allowed Smith to build his innings with greater freedom and control.

By the close of play, Smith was unbeaten on 129, guiding Australia to a lead of more than 100 runs. The innings also carried personal significance beyond the Bradman record. With his 37th Test hundred, Smith moved past former India batter Rahul Dravid on the all-time list of Test centuries and is now one short of Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.

Cricket analysts noted that Smith reached the milestone of 37 Test hundreds in 219 innings, making him one of the fastest players to do so. Only Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara achieved the same feat in fewer innings, according to available statistics.

Smith’s consistency against England has defined his Ashes career. He has now scored 3,682 runs in the series overall, making him the second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history, again behind Bradman. During his innings in Sydney, he also moved past England’s Jack Hobbs, who had previously held second place on that list.

The match also saw records beyond Smith’s achievements. Australia registered seven fifty-plus partnerships in the innings, the most in an Ashes Test innings and among the highest totals recorded in Test cricket more broadly.

Travis Head’s century carried its own historical significance. It was his first hundred at the Sydney Cricket Ground, meaning he has now scored Test centuries at all seven Australian venues where he has played. Only a small group of former Australia batters, including Steve Waugh and Matthew Hayden, have achieved the same feat.

Head has also developed a reputation for scoring large centuries. Seven of his 12 Test hundreds have passed 150, placing him in a rare category of batters who consistently convert starts into substantial scores early in their careers.

Context

The Ashes series, contested between Australia and England since 1882, is widely regarded as one of cricket’s most prestigious rivalries. Records set during the series often carry lasting historical weight due to the longevity and intensity of the contest.

Sir Donald Bradman, whose career spanned the early to mid-20th century, remains an iconic figure in Australian sport. Any comparison or statistical milestone involving his records attracts significant attention within the cricketing world.

Steven Smith’s latest achievement reflects the evolution of modern Test cricket, where extended careers and frequent series provide players with opportunities to challenge long-standing records. His performance in Sydney reinforces his status as one of the defining batters of his generation, particularly in matches against England.

With the final Test still in progress, Australia’s commanding position suggests the series may conclude with another emphatic result. Regardless of the outcome, Smith’s record-breaking innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground is set to remain a defining moment of the current Ashes campaign.