Michael Vaughan Hails Steve Smith as the Best Modern-Day Test Player After Landmark 35th Test Century

The current cricketing landscape witnessed a historic moment as Steve Smith reached 10,000 Test runs during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith, achieving the milestone in just 115 Tests, became the 15th player and the fourth Australian to reach the coveted five-figure mark. His remarkable feat has prompted comparisons to the legendary Don Bradman.

Michael Vaughan praised Smith as the “best modern-day Test match player”, noting his exceptional ability to read the game and adapt to various conditions. Vaughan emphasized Smith’s quick reflexes and ability to assess situations on the field, which has placed him among the few cricketers deserving of a Bradman comparison. He said:

I would argue that he is the best modern-day Test match player. I think he is the best problem solver. He has a quirky technique but he just seems to be able to pick the ball out of the hand of the bowlers quicker than most. He has this amazing ability to study the field and work out what is on and what is not on any given day on a pitch. If you look at his numbers, there are only a small few who have got close to being talked about like Don Bradman. And when you are in a conversation when the Don is involved, you know you are pretty good.

Smith’s career turnaround from a leg-spinner to a top-order batsman was highlighted by former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist, who marveled at his transformation and consistency. Ravi Shastri, former India coach, also commended Smith’s ability to excel across conditions, citing his century in India’s 2017 Border-Gavaskar series as one of the standout performances in his illustrious career.