Steve Smith Explained: Australia's Unconventional Batting Genius

Steve Smith (born 2 June 1989 in Kogarah, New South Wales) is a right-handed batter and occasional leg-break bowler who plays for Australia. He is Australia's — and arguably the world's — best Test batter since Don Bradman, averaging above 60 across more than 100 Test matches: a figure that places him in the rarefied company of cricket's all-time statistical elite. His unorthodox technique, multiple backlift variations, and extraordinary eye-hand coordination allow him to score runs from positions that other batters cannot.

Test Average Above 60

Smith's Test batting average above 60 is the highest sustained Test average in the modern game — a figure that places him among cricket history's most elite batters. Test batting average is the gold standard of batter quality: it measures runs per dismissal across the full breadth of conditions, opposition, and match situations that a long Test career encompasses. An average above 50 is considered excellent; above 55 is exceptional; above 60 across more than 100 Tests is one of cricket's greatest achievements.

Unorthodox Technique

Smith's batting technique is among the most unorthodox in international cricket — he uses multiple backlift positions, shuffles across the crease, and plays balls from body positions that cricket coaching manuals would consider incorrect. Despite this unconventionality, his footwork is exceptional, his hand-eye coordination is extraordinary, and his ability to score through the off side from unusual body angles generates runs in gaps that more orthodox batters cannot access. Bowlers who have tried to exploit his unusual stance have found that his reflexes and concentration compensate for the apparent technical vulnerabilities.

Ashes Dominance Against England

Smith has been exceptionally dominant against England in Ashes series — his average against England in Ashes Tests is significantly higher than his already exceptional overall Test average. England bowling attacks have struggled to develop a consistent plan to dismiss him: every variation they have tried — targeting the body, bowling outside off stump, using short-pitched bowling — has been absorbed and negated by Smith's adaptability. His Ashes performances have been the primary reason Australia have won multiple consecutive Ashes series in Australia.

New South Wales and Australian Cricket

Smith plays for New South Wales in Australian domestic cricket — the Sheffield Shield (four-day) and one-day formats that develop Australian Test players. New South Wales is one of Australia's strongest cricket states and has produced more Test players than any other Australian state. Smith's development through NSW's pathway — including periods playing grade cricket in Sydney — followed the traditional Australian cricket development model that produces technically strong, competitive players who are ready for Test cricket demands.