Steve Smith Breaks 96 Year Ashes Record, Leaves Sachin Tendulkar Behind

Overview

Steve Smith delivered a historic performance in the fifth Ashes Test at Sydney, scoring his 37th Test century. He surpassed Jack Hobbs in Ashes centuries and overtook Sachin Tendulkar in fastest 37 hundreds, placing himself among cricket greatest batters.

Steve Smith celebrates his historic century at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Image Source: Instagram/@icc —Edited & Modified by Us

Steve Smith produced a remarkable innings during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, achieving his 37th Test century. His knock not only strengthened Australia position but also rewrote multiple historic records in Test cricket.

Record Breaking Century at Sydney

On Day 3 of the match, Smith walked in after Michael Neser dismissal and immediately took control. Batting on a flat surface, he calmly constructed a brilliant innings of 129 runs, reducing England first innings lead of 384 runs before completing his century with ease.

This was Smith 13th Ashes century, allowing him to move ahead of England legendary Jack Hobbs and become the batter with the second most Ashes hundreds in history. Only Don Bradman remains above him with 19 centuries.

Second Highest Run Scorer in Ashes History

Smith also climbed to second place on the list of all time Ashes run scorers. He overtook Jack Hobbs, who had scored 3,636 runs in 41 Ashes Tests between 1908 and 1930.

Smith needed just 84 runs in the Sydney Test to surpass Hobbs a milestone he achieved during the final session of Day 3 with his trademark precision and patience.

Steve Smith Overtakes Sachin Tendulkar

Another major highlight of Smith innings was overtaking Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar in terms of fastest to 37 Test centuries.

• Steve Smith: 37 centuries in 219 innings
• Sachin Tendulkar: 37 centuries in 220 innings

Only Ricky Ponting remains faster, having reached 37 hundreds in 212 innings.

18th Century as Captain

Replacing Pat Cummins as stand in captain, Smith recorded his 18th Test century as skipper. Only three captains in history have scored more:

• Graeme Smith — 25
• Virat Kohli — 20
• Ricky Ponting — 19

With an average above 68 as captain, Smith has the highest batting average among all Test captains.

A Career Filled with Milestones

Last year, Steve Smith also became the fourth Australian batter to cross 10,000 Test runs further cementing his place among the legends of the game.

His performance at Sydney was not just another century; it was a statement that his consistency, hunger, and class continue to define modern Test cricket.

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