Having started his career as a leg spinner and a tail-ender in international cricket, Steve Smith rode on his consistency to become the number one Test batsman in ICC Rankings. He made his debut against Pakistan in 2010 at the 'Mecca of Cricket' Lord's. It was a disastrous debut for the former Australian skipper as he scored 1 and 12 runs in successive innings, though he was decent with the bowl as he picked up three wickets in second innings while he did not get chance to ball in the first innings. He marked his name in international cricket in 2013 Ashes, where he scored his first Test century at Oval. Despite having an unorthodox batting stance, Smith suddenly started dominating Test cricket as he has the ability to play both fast and spin bowlers. The 2014-2015 series against India was the path-breaking series for the Aussie as he scored four centuries. It was in the same summer when he was appointed as Australia's 45th Test captain in place of injured Michael Clarke. Everything was going right for the right-handed batsman but suddenly life took a U-turn and he got involved in the ball-tampering scandal with his two Australia teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. The scandal, which rocked the cricket world, happened during a Test match against South Africa. Smith and Warner are suspended for One year while the young fast bowler Bancroft is suspended for nine months.
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Twelve months ago, India ended a 71-year wait for their maiden Test series win in Australia. However, Australia are a different team now with Steve Smith and David Warner back in the side having served one-year ball-tampering bans
Tim Paine also said the duo, who were banned for a year after their involvement in a ball-tampering episode, have set an example for the other batsmen in the team.
Marnus Labuschagne shared a 156-run partnership with Steve Smith, who made 63, to give first-day honours to Australia after captain Tim Paine won the toss and batted on a dry SCG pitch.
As soon as the 30-year-old scored his first run, the SCG burst into ironic cheers and even the Australian batter could see the funny side, raising his arm to acknowledge the applause.
All four of Steve Smith's dismissals have been against short balls delivered by Neil Wagner.
Smith's dogged unbeaten 77 helped the hosts reach 257/4 at stumps on Day 1 along with Marnus Labuschagne's 63. For the Kiwis, Colin de Grandhomme returned with figures of 2/58.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne scored fifties as Australia posted 257/4 as record crowd attended day one of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
As Smith walked onto the ground, boos echoed around the MCG, thus making him angry.
Steve Smith went past former Test captain Greg Chappell's tally of 7,110 runs with a comfortable single in the 51st over, moving into 10th position.
The team of the decade consists of three players from England, two each from India, South Africa and Sri Lanka and one each from Australia and New Zealand.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have been the mainstays of the Australian team in Test cricket lately.
Sharing the picture on Instagram, Smith wrote: "Throwback to this time last year watching the Ice Hockey in New York with Dani Willis."
Virat Kohli leads second-placed Steve Smith by 17 points in the year-end ICC Test rankings for batsmen.
Amid the dramatic night session of the pink-ball Test, it was Steve Smith's wondrous catch at second slip that grabbed the limelight.
Labuschagne and Travis Head were unbeaten on 110 and 20 runs respectively after the home side elected to bat first in 40-degree (104 F) temperatures.
Adam Gilchrist also said that as long as Tim Paine is there in the side, he should be the skipper.
Cricket Australia (CA) has said that a different wicket is being prepared for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG to ensure that the surface is safe and meets international standards.
Indian captain Virat Kohli has reclaimed the no.1 spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batsmen.
According to Ian Chappell, Steve Smith changed Tim Paine's fielding set up with his own ideas.
Ian Chappell feels Steve Smith undermined current skipper Tim Paine by trying to set the field in the second Test against Pakistan
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