Steve Smith stands as one of Australia’s most prolific run-scorers in international cricket, distinguished by his unconventional batting approach and extraordinary consistency across formats.
The right-handed batsman has compiled 48 centuries in international matches, comprising 36 in Test cricket and 12 in One Day Internationals. His record places him among the elite batsmen in cricket history, particularly in the Test arena where he ranks sixth for most centuries.
His first international hundred came against England in 2013, and since then, he has consistently delivered match-winning performances for Australia.
Complete Career Statistics
Steve Smith’s numbers across all international formats demonstrate his sustained excellence at the highest level. His Test match record stands out with exceptional consistency and longevity.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 121 | 10580 | 55.97 | 239 | 36 | 44 |
| ODI | 170 | 5800 | 43.28 | 164 | 12 | 35 |
| T20I | 67 | 1094 | 24.86 | 90 | 0 | 5 |
Smith debuted in ODI cricket against the West Indies in February 2010, followed by his Test debut against Pakistan in July of the same year.
His T20I career began the same year, though the format remains his least prolific in terms of statistics.
Test Match Centuries Breakdown
Smith’s 36 Test hundreds include nine unbeaten knocks and four double centuries, showcasing his ability to convert starts into substantial scores.
| No. | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 138* | England | The Oval | 21 August 2013 |
| 2 | 111 | England | Perth | 13 December 2013 |
| 3 | 115 | England | Sydney | 3 January 2014 |
| 4 | 100 | South Africa | Centurion | 12 February 2014 |
| 5 | 162* | India | Adelaide | 9 December 2014 |
| 6 | 133 | India | Brisbane | 17 December 2014 |
| 7 | 192 | India | Melbourne | 26 December 2014 |
| 8 | 117 | India | Sydney | 6 January 2015 |
| 9 | 199 | West Indies | Kingston | 11 June 2015 |
| 10 | 215 | England | Lord’s | 16 July 2015 |
| 11 | 143 | England | The Oval | 20 August 2015 |
| 12 | 138 | New Zealand | Perth | 13 November 2015 |
| 13 | 134* | West Indies | Melbourne | 26 December 2015 |
| 14 | 138 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 20 February 2016 |
| 15 | 119 | Sri Lanka | Colombo | 15 August 2016 |
| 16 | 130 | Pakistan | Brisbane | 15 December 2016 |
| 17 | 165* | Pakistan | Melbourne | 26 December 2016 |
| 18 | 109 | India | Pune | 23 February 2017 |
| 19 | 178* | India | Ranchi | 16 March 2017 |
| 20 | 111 | India | Dharamsala | 25 March 2017 |
| 21 | 141* | England | Brisbane | 23 November 2017 |
| 22 | 239 | England | Perth | 14 December 2017 |
| 23 | 102* | England | Melbourne | 26 December 2017 |
| 24 | 144 | England | Edgbaston | 1 August 2019 |
| 25 | 142 | England | Edgbaston | 1 August 2019 |
| 26 | 211 | England | Old Trafford | 4 September 2019 |
| 27 | 131 | India | Sydney | 7 January 2021 |
| 28 | 145* | Sri Lanka | Galle | 8 January 2022 |
| 29 | 200* | West Indies | Perth | 30 November 2022 |
| 30 | 104 | South Africa | Sydney | 4 January 2023 |
| 31 | 121 | India | The Oval | 7 June 2023 |
| 32 | 110 | England | Lord’s | 28 June 2023 |
| 33 | 101 | India | Brisbane | 14 December 2024 |
| 34 | 140 | India | Melbourne | 26 December 2024 |
| 35 | 141 | Sri Lanka | Galle | 29 January 2025 |
| 36 | 131 | Sri Lanka | Galle | 6 February 2025 |
Test Cricket Milestones
Smith holds several significant records in Test cricket that underscore his impact on the format. He achieved 8000 Test runs faster than any other batsman in history, reaching the milestone in just 151 innings.
His career tally of 10580 runs positions him 13th on the all-time list, while his 36 centuries rank him fifth overall. With four double centuries to his name, he sits 18th in that particular category.
ODI Centuries Record
Smith’s ODI career features 12 centuries from 170 matches, reflecting solid performance in the limited-overs format.
| No. | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101 | Pakistan | Sharjah | 7 October 2014 |
| 2 | 104 | South Africa | Melbourne | 21 November 2014 |
| 3 | 102* | England | Hobart | 23 January 2015 |
| 4 | 105 | India | Sydney | 26 March 2015 |
| 5 | 149 | India | Perth | 12 January 2016 |
| 6 | 108 | South Africa | Durban | 5 October 2016 |
| 7 | 164 | New Zealand | Sydney | 4 December 2016 |
| 8 | 108* | Pakistan | Perth | 19 January 2017 |
| 9 | 131 | India | Bengaluru | 19 January 2020 |
| 10 | 105 | India | Sydney | 27 November 2020 |
| 11 | 104 | India | Sydney | 29 November 2020 |
| 12 | 105 | New Zealand | Cairns | 11 September 2022 |
ODI Career Highlights
His maiden ODI century arrived in 2014 against Pakistan at Sharjah, four years after his format debut. Smith’s ODI average of 43.28 demonstrates consistent contribution to Australia’s middle order.
His highest ODI score of 164 against New Zealand ranks ninth among innings played by captains. He reached 5000 ODI runs in 129 matches, placing him 18th on the fastest-to-milestone list.
Defining Performances
Several innings throughout Smith’s career have proven instrumental in Australia’s victories and demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure.
Test Cricket Standouts:
- 138* vs England at The Oval, 2013: His maiden Test century, an unbeaten knock that announced his arrival as a top-order batsman
- 162* vs India at Adelaide, 2014: Anchored Australia’s innings in a closely contested match
- 200* vs West Indies at Perth, 2022: An unbeaten double century showcasing his enduring quality
- 141 vs Sri Lanka at Galle, 2025: Recent demonstration of his continued form
ODI Cricket Highlights:
- 102* vs England at Hobart, 2015: Unbeaten century in successful chase
- 164 vs New Zealand at Sydney, 2016: Career-best ODI score
- 131 vs India at Bengaluru, 2020: Match-winning knock in challenging conditions
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Conclusion: Steve Smith’s Enduring Legacy In International Cricket
Steve Smith’s 48 international centuries establish him as one of Australia’s premier batsmen across formats.
His Test record particularly stands out, with 36 hundreds placing him sixth all-time and his average of 56.74 among the highest in cricket history.
Despite an unconventional technique, Smith’s consistency and ability to score under pressure have defined his career. His recent centuries in 2024 and 2025 confirm he remains at the peak of his abilities, continuing to add to an already impressive legacy.
FAQs
Smith employs an exaggerated shuffle across the stumps before delivery, which appears unorthodox but allows him to judge the ball’s trajectory earlier. This distinctive movement, combined with exceptional hand-eye coordination, enables him to play both pace and spin effectively despite not following textbook batting positions.
With a Test average of 56.74, Smith ranks among the highest-averaging Australian batsmen in history. Only Don Bradman’s average significantly exceeds Smith’s, while he compares favorably with legends like Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, and Matthew Hayden.
T20 cricket’s brevity limits opportunities for batsmen to reach three figures, as innings require rapid scoring rather than consolidation. Smith’s methodical approach suits longer formats better, though his T20I record remains respectable with an average near 25 and several half-centuries.
Smith has been particularly prolific against England and India, with multiple centuries against both nations. His Ashes performances stand out with numerous hundreds, while he has consistently succeeded against Indian bowling in both home and away conditions.
Following his suspension in 2018, Smith endured a significant gap before returning to score centuries. His immediate return to form with twin hundreds at Edgbaston in 2019 demonstrated his class remained intact despite the extended absence.
