Australia batsman Steve Smith on Thursday posted a heartfelt message for his fans and followers on social media after being named ICC’s Test player of the decade earlier this week.
The 31-year-old batting genius produced some staggering numbers in this decade which is why he was chosen ahead of India captain Virat Kohli, who bagged the ODI and cricketer of the decade awards.
Smith on being named as ICC’s Test Player of the Decade
Steve Smith, during the period, scored 7040 runs from 69 Tests at an average of 65.79 which included 26 hundred, 28 fifties, and 3 Ashes double centuries.
These numbers are nothing sort of astonishing, considering that he was also banned from international cricket for a year in 2018.
“Humbled to be named Test player of the decade. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far.
“I’ve had a lot of fun, faced many challenges, learned so much and now I can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for me,” Smith tweeted.
Humbled to be named Test player of the decade. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far. I’ve had a lot of fun, faced many challenges, learnt so much and now I can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for me 🏏 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wdWWNynnce
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) December 31, 2020
Smith has been a part of many breathtaking series’ but the 2019 Ashes can be called his best. He piled up 774 in 7 Test innings, singlehandedly scoring 35.5% of Australia’s runs in the 5-match series despite having missed 1 Test due to a concussion. The series ended 2-2 with Australia retaining the Ashes urn thanks to Smith’s exploits.
But Smith has been struggling off late in red-ball cricket in the ongoing series against India in which he has managed just 10 runs – 1, 1*, 0, 8 – in two Tests so far.
Also read: ICC Awards of the Decade-Full List of Winners and Nominees
