In the most intense stage of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, Steve Smith once again showcased why he is considered one of the modern greats of Test cricket. With Australia tottering at 46 for 3 against a rampant South African pace attack, it was Smith’s calm, control, and class that brought order to chaos. His knock of 66 from 112 balls, laced with 10 elegant boundaries, was not just a rescue act but a statement of experience under pressure on the sport’s grandest red-ball platform.
The Australian innings had started on a shaky note. South Africa’s fast bowlers, led by the fiery Kagiso Rabada and the towering Marco Jansen, made full use of the overcast conditions and the slope of Lord’s. They extracted movement and bounce, making batting a daunting task in the first session. Australia’s top order faltered, losing three quick wickets within the first 15 overs. The game seemed to be slipping out of Australia’s control before Steve Smith walked in and, as he has done countless times before, brought stability to the innings.
From the very beginning, Smith looked focused. His initial approach was cautious, giving full respect to the disciplined line and length of the South African bowlers. But what set his innings apart was his calculated aggression. As the ball aged and the bowlers started to tire, Smith began to unfurl his trademark shots—those sharp square cuts, controlled nudges, and crisp drives through the off-side.
The turning point of the innings came during his partnership with fellow middle-order batter Beau Webster. Together, they stitched a crucial stand that not only steadied the innings but also wrested back some control from the Proteas. Smith was the aggressor in this partnership, moving confidently between the wickets and punishing anything short or wide. His composure allowed Webster to settle in, and the pair added close to 80 runs that took Australia past the 120-run mark.
Smith reached his half-century with a fluent punch through cover, acknowledging the applause from the Lord’s crowd with a subtle raise of the bat. It wasn’t just another fifty—it was one made under pressure, in tough conditions, and on a stage where every run mattered. This was Test cricket at its finest, and Smith was its proud ambassador once again.
Eventually, Smith resistance came to an end when a sharp delivery from Aiden Markram took the edge and was brilliantly caught in the slips. He walked off the field to a well-earned ovation, his 66 being the highest individual score in the Australian innings. His departure triggered another minor collapse, but his knock had already done enough to give the Australian total some credibility.
In a match where every session is a story, Smith innings stood out as a chapter of grit, elegance, and timely brilliance. His ability to dig deep when it matters most has long been his hallmark, and once again, he rose to the occasion when his team needed him the most. If Australia do go on to win the WTC Final, Steve Smith’s Day One masterpiece will be remembered as one of the defining moments.
For more news updates, follow 12B Sports India Facebook .