Joe Root vs Steve Smith: Statistical analysis determines the greater Ashes Test batter

Root vs Smith in Ashes [Source: AFP Photo]

Test cricket summer is back in Australia as the much-anticipated The Ashes will commence on November 21, as the two oldest cricketing rivals, Australia and England, will battle for supremacy. The two have had fierce battles with each other and a new chapter will begin as the English side will aim to reclaim the Ashes urn.

England last defeated Australia in 2010, and they will aim to break the jinx in the upcoming series. Apart from the two sides, the battle between Joe Root and Steve Smith will also be one to watch out for. The two have been the best Test batters of this generation, and they will once again lock horns.

In this piece, we analyse how the two star players have performed in The Ashes and which one of them has a better record.

Joe Root vs Steve Smith: Overall Ashes record

(Root vs Smith overall record)

• When it comes to the overall data between Smith and Root, it is clear that the Aussie star is miles ahead of the English talent. Both of them have played almost an equal number of Ashes Tests, but Smith has 989 more runs, with a better Test average (56.01).
• Interestingly, in 37 games, Smith has 12 Ashes hundreds, showcasing his consistency, but on the other hand, Root has struggled against Australia, with an average of 40 and just 4 hundreds to show.
• Hence, if we purely compare the overall record, Smith is ahead of Root, but let us check their home and away stats.

Joe Root vs Steve Smith: Ashes record in England

(Root, Steve Smith in England)

• If the overall record works in Smith’s favour, then their Ashes record in England also tells a story. The two have played a similar number of games, but Smith has outclassed Root in his backyard. While Root has 1536 runs at an average of 43, Smith is miles ahead with 2000 runs, at an average of 57.14.
• Interestingly, Root has 4 Test tons vs Australia in England, while Smith already has twice the number, showcasing his brilliance in tough away conditions.

Joe Root vs Steve Smith: Ashes record in Australia

(Root and Smith in Australia)

• Even in Australian conditions, as expected, Smith has dominated Root in the Ashes. While the home boy, Smith, has 1417 runs with 5 fifties and an equal number of hundreds, Root has nine half-centuries, but his average is a mere 35.68, showcasing his vulnerability in tricky Aussie conditions.
• Hence, in all three parameters - overall, home record, and away stats, Smith is ahead of Root and clearly has been a better Ashes player.

Root's Australian struggles

Every batter in the world has some weakness, and for Root, that weakness is the nip-backer, with the ball coming into his pads. He tends to get stuck inside the crease and is unable to judge the ball coming into him. The Australians are a master of utilising weaknesses, and they have the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, who have a terrific record against Root.

The reason why Smith is better than Root is due to his ability to convert fifties into hundreds. Root has struggled to do the same in Australia, despite having 9 half-centuries.

However, the upcoming series provides a great chance for Root to cement his legacy in Australia. Since 2023, Root has had 11 Test tons and 11 fifties, and has a better conversion rate.

Since the last Ashes Test match, Root has scoredf 16 Test hundreds, and is in the form of his life as he enters Australia with the objective of scoring his first century.

Final verdict

The two best batters will collide in the upcoming Ashes, but Smith, the Australian, has been the dominant force among the two. He has hundreds and runs in both away and home conditions, and has better stats across different parameters.

However, Root has a chance to close the gap in the upcoming Ashes as he is in better form than Smith and will be up for redemption as he aims to break his century drought in Australia.

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