Steve Smith’s imperious Ashes form has seen him move level with Len Hutton and closer to Don Bradman at the top of the ICC’s Test player rankings system. The Australian captain’s 239 in the series-winning third Test in Perth saw him reach a career-best 945 points, just 16 shy the highest ever rating achieved by Bradman back in 1948.
Smith’s double century at the Waca, which helped Australia to a series victory over England after three Tests, propelled him to a new high after his knock of 143 in the first Test had lifted him to 941 points – equal fifth best of all time.
A brief dip after returns of 40 and six in Adelaide followed, but his innings in Perth took him above the likes of Peter May, Jack Hobbs and Ricky Ponting, level with former England opener Hutton, and closer to Bradman’s benchmark – set after a stunning run of Test scores against India in 1948.
Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers and Kumar Sangakkara complete an illustrious top 10.
Smith is also second only to Bradman in terms of career batting average for players with over 20 Test matches under their belt and he has been the world’s No1-ranked batsman for nearly two years.
