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Ashes 2023 | Steve Smith Goes Past Tendulkar, Ponting, Waugh With 32nd Test Ton At Lord's

image-ljh3utx5Steve Smith celebrates century number 32 (AP Photo)

Steve Smith has registered the 32nd ton of his Test career, in the same innings he completed 9,000 runs in the format. The batting legend made amends for his twin failures in Edbgaston, to bring up his second century of the English summer and his 12th in Tests against England.

Smith's epic at the Lord's Cricket Ground has also helped him scale several elite records, as Australia take cruise control in the second Test of the 2023 Ashes.

Here is a look at all the records tumbled during Smith's 184-ball marathon in the first Australian innings.


Smith equals Waugh, topples Ponting in several records

Earlier this month, Steve Smith charted Test century number 31 during the WTC final against India. He followed his championship-winning knock with a set of rare twin failures in the opening match of the 2023 Ashes against England.

However, he roared back to his usual best by guiding Australia to a daunting total in the first innings of the next game. Forming crucial partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, the 34-year-old top-scored in the innings with 110 to boost Australia up to 416.

Notably, his latest ton has equalled him up with former captain Steve Waugh among leading century-makers for Australia in Tests. Waugh also slammed 32 hundreds in his career, albeit in 168 matches, and the two are only trailing batting great Ricky Ponting (41) among the elite Australian pack.

Moreover, Smith became the fastest batter in Test history to complete 32 centuries in the format. With just 174 innings, he overtook Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar, who had reached their landmark tons in 176 and 179 innings, respectively.

In addition, the New South Wales-batter has also reached the three-figure mark in Tests for the 12th time against England, making him the second highest in the world after Don Bradman (19) against his Ashes opponents.

With an ODI ton against the same opponent to his name, the legendary batter is once again the second highest century-maker across all formats against England.