Australia v West Indies: Steve Smith’s shock Ricky Ponting century admission

On the day Steve Smith equalled Donald Bradman’s Test century record, the batting maestro made a stunning admission about his Test future.

Steve Smith might feel as though he has entered batting Nirvana, but the run scoring master has cast doubt over whether he wants to play long enough to reach Ricky Ponting’s mark of 41 Test hundreds.

With only Bradman above him and a league of legends clearly below him, Smith is occupying a batting stratosphere all on his own as he smashed the fourth double hundred of his incredible career against the West Indies in Perth to join Bradman on 29 tons.

Smith’s 200 and Marnus Labuschagne’s 204 marked only the fifth time in Test history that two Aussies have made double hundreds in the same innings – and the first since Michael Clarke and Ponting 10 years ago.

Travis Head was heartbrokenly out for 99 when Australia was holding off its declaration (4-598) for him to also celebrate three figures, but rather than folding under the weight of the total in front of them, the West Indies then managed to rally to be 0-74 at stumps.

Smith believes the well-documented technical changes he has made to his game have set him up perfectly to cash in not only this summer but on next year’s landmark tours of India and England.

Steve Smith cast doubt about chasing Ricky Ponting’s Test century record. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

But beyond that mystery surrounds how long Smith will continue as a Test batsman, with the 33-year-old hinting he may be here for a good time not a long time.

Smith last night savoured joining Bradman but played down pursuing Ponting.

“Not really. No. That’s a long way away,” said Smith when asked if Ponting’s Australian record of 41 Test hundreds was a personal goal.

“I’m not sure. I’m 33, 34 next year. I’m not sure how long I’ll play for but we’ll see.

“But 41 is certainly a long way away.

“There’s a lot of Test matches in the next year for us. We’ll see how many I can get. Hopefully I can get a few more in that period of time and we’ll go from there.

“I guess any time your name is mentioned alongside The Don is pretty special. It’s pretty flattering.

“It was nice to get a big one today.”

Having joined Bradman on 29 Test hundreds, Smith (155 innings) is the third fastest to the mark after The Don himself (79 innings) and Sachin Tendulkar (148 innings).

Smith only needs one century to join Matt Hayden on 30 and three to equal Steve Waugh on 32, before considering whether he sets sail for Ponting’s 41.

Ponting can feel the footsteps thundering even if Smith is reluctant.

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen him bat better,” Ponting said on Channel 7.

Ricky Ponting scored 41 Test tons. Picture: AP/David Mariuz

Head became the seventh Australian to make 99 in Perth – after Shane Warne, Michael Slater, Kim Hughes, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh and Simon Katich – with remarkably more 99s scored by Aussies in the west than in any other home city.

The West Indies openers showed enormous courage to stand up to Australia’s quicks and still be left standing at stumps, with debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul (47 not out) particularly impressive alongside captain Kraigg Brathwaite (18 not out).

Chanderpaul copped a nasty blow to the nether regions from Josh Hazlewood and wore another short ball to the ribs from Pat Cummins but did not blink as he pushed the scoreboard forward in a gutsy debut that showed all the hallmarks of his famous father, West Indies great, Shivnarine.

After copping his body blows, Chanderpaul hooked Pat Cummins for six, with his captain cautiously admitting a star had been born.

“A lot of pride. Obviously a job well done, but the job is far from over,” said Brathwaite, who also copped a nasty blow to the box from Cummins.

“I wasn’t surprised. He’s going to be special. He’s going to do a great job. I know he’s a fighter.”

Re-live all the day two action below

STATE OF PLAY: WINDIES RESISTANCE

Talk about fight!

Chanderpaul (37*) and Brathwaite (16*) are absorbing everything Australia is throwing at them in this tricky final session in Perth.

Faced with a daunting first-innings total, debutant Chanderpaul has ducked, weaved and adsorbed plenty of punishment to repel a bodyline and off-stump onslaught.

Captain Brathwaite is providing a cool head at the other end, taking the shine off the new ball.

Interestingly, the hosts turned to Nathan Lyon before Cam Green.

Australia burnt its first review following a caught behind shout.

DEBUTANT DROPPED: UGLY BALL FOLDS CHANDER

Tagenarine Chanderpaul is likely to remember his Test debut for all the wrong reasons.

The son of Windies legend, Shivnarine, survived an early lbw shout from Mitch Starc. But it was a delivery from Starc’s opening partner Josh Hazlewood that really rattled the youngster.

Chanderpaul was struck flush on the box in the final ball of the over, immediately falling to his haunches.

“Ouch,” said Gilchrist from the commentary box.

Chanderpaul took the maximum allowed recovery time as he was treated by the team physio.

“This is the last thing you need,” Fox Sports commentator Ian Smith added. “Facing Hazlewood and Starc, it’s a tough game already ... and if it gets to the point where he can’t concentrate, you must think seriously about leaving the field.”

Thankfully the debutant is fighting through the Aussie onslaught, seeing off the first ten overs with Kraigg Brathwaite.

Just watching this one hurts... 😳 #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/zK5cjN2EqG

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) December 1, 2022

Chanderpaul copped a sickening blow in the final session.

HEAD OUT FOR 99 AS AUSSIES DECLARE

Oh no! Travis Head what happened?!

Just when it looked like the milestone double act would be completed, Head is bowled for 99.

That really came out of nowhere. He didn’t look like getting out from the moment he hit the crease.

Spinner Kraigg Brathwaite is the man to get the wicket – but that ball didn’t appear to do much. Head just misjudged it.

And with that, the Aussies call time of their innings, declaring at 4/598.

“They left it (third man) open for him and Travis Head tries the late cut and chops on. It’s the first ball he hasn’t hit in the middle of the bat. That is so unfortunate,” says Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.

Cricket legend Brian Lara added:

“It’s unbelievable. He played really well, aggressive throughout his innings but falls one run short (of a century).

“He must be very disappointed.”

Elation for Smith. Devastation for Head.

The Aussies have declared on Day 2 and are ready to go to work with the ball.#AUSvWI LIVE: https://t.co/8Bdb6XJtPUpic.twitter.com/dM5JIRAwys

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) December 1, 2022

SMITH REACHES STUNNING DOUBLE TON

There it is! Part one of the milestone double has been completed.

Steve Smith has reached 200 runs and never looked like getting out.

This is his fourth double ton in his career and if it wasn’t for an upcoming declaration he could make 300.

Mark Waugh was less than impressed with the tactics from the bowlers to both Smith and Head.

“I’m bringing mid-off and mid-on up now to Travis Head. If you want to go over the top to hit a four to get your hundred well done,” he told Fox Cricket.

“Just change it up. At the moment it is far too easy.

“I’m not sure how they can get him (Smith) out bowling this.

“This is just not Test match cricket. This is not Test match quality. Two batsmen heading towards double hundred and a hundred.”

STATE OF PLAY: HOW WILL FINAL SESSION UNFOLD?

What is Australia’s plan for this session?

Travis Head, who smashed the first ball after the break to the fence, is just 15 runs short of his century.

Steve Smith is 11 runs shy of a double ton.

If both men make it to their milestones, that would put the Aussies at over 600. Is that the magic number?

Given the run rate, time is no issues. They could bat for an hour if they want.

All eyes are on Pat Cummins.

FART CLEARS AUSSIE BOX; SMITH’S MILESTONE

Double centurion Marnus Labuschagne has been ‘smoked’ out of Australia’s team box.

Footage captured Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Labuschagne chatting away in the players’ box as Steve Smith (183*) and Travis Head (73*) pushed Australia’s total past 500.

It then appears one of the players in the box passes gas, with captain Cummins and Labuschagne reacting by covering their nose with their shirt.

Labuschagne appears to cop the brunt of the unfortunate incident, storming out of the box as a wry smile creeps across Warner’s face.

The culprit? We’ll probably never know...

Guesses on who let one rip in the Aussie dressing room? 😂 #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/7RT4dVkC4a

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) December 1, 2022

STATE OF PLAY: WHEN TO DECLARE?

It’s becoming obvious Australia plans to have a decent crack at West Indies’ top order this afternoon.

New man Travis Head (38* from 43) is throwing his bat at everything as the hosts edge towards a 500 plus first innings lead.

The question is does Australia give Steve Smith (143*) a shot at posting a double century or will Andrew McDonald and Pat Cummins declare at tea?

History suggests Australia will look to push the score as close to 600 as possible and rip in for 15 overs before stumps.

SKULL’S RIHANNA LOVE

Kerry O’Keeffe: Was it Kraigg Bratwaite that went to the same school as Rhinana?

Brian Lara: Carlos Brathwaite

O’Keeffe: I thought Kraigg went there too?

Lara: Maybe she (RiRi) is more interested in T20s?

O’Keeffe: Chris Jordan (England fast bowler) went to school with Rihanna. I would’ve turned up everyday ... sit next to Ri.

Anyway, back to the cricket...

SMITH ON JOINING SIR DON

Steve Smith equalled Sir Donald Bradman’s 29 Test century mark in Perth.

“I’m feeling good,” Smith told Fox Sports, “he was the greatest to play our game.

“Nice to be on 29, hopefully a few more to come.”

We reckon Smith is odds on to pass the great man in Adelaide.

LABUSCHAGNE’S DOUBLE TON MILESTONE

The apprentice follows his master in Perth - but the Smith-Labuschagne partnership is broken two balls later.

Marnus reached the second double century of his career before falling to part-time tweaker Kraigg Brathwaite in the last over before lunch.

As so often happens after a milestone, a lack of concentration proved Labuschagne’s downfall following an exuberant celebration.

Nevertheless, Australia’s red hot No.3 helped lay a near impenetrable first innings lead for the hosts.

Here’s hoping young daughter Hallie was awake for the double ton!

Marnus Labuschagne after giving away his wicket on the stroke of lunch. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

204 (350) - Marnus Labuschagne
402 (709) - Team Score#AUSvWI#WIvsAus

— Cricstatsman (@cricstatsman) December 1, 2022

SMITH REACHES BRILLIANT CENTURY

There it is!

Steve Smith, take a bow. The Aussie superstar has started the Test summer in the best possible fashion, blasting a chanceless century.

That is Test match century number 29 for the middle order master blaster, equalling Sir Donald Bradman’s mark.

And the tourists should be worried. Smith has that look in his eye. He knows a big score in on offer.

When he is in this sort of form, there is no way to slow him down. It feels like a run-out might be their best chance.

Now the big question is, will Marnus join him in reaching a first session milestone?

He has 197 to his name and we’ve got 13 minutes until the lunch break.

Most hundreds in International cricket among active players:

Kohli - 71
Root - 44
Warner - 44
Smith - 41*
Rohit - 41#AUSvWI

— Finest Of Cricket (@finestofcricket) December 1, 2022

‘THEY FELT LIKE THEY FLOATED IN AND OUT OF THE GAME’

Where did things go wrong for the West Indies on day one?

Fox Cricket commentator Mark Waugh has given an insight into the opening day.

The Australian batting great said there were positive signs for the tourists but they weren’t able to build pressure for long enough.

“At times, they felt like they floated in and out of the game throughout the day,” he told Fox Cricket.

“I thought they bowled reasonably well. It just lacked a little bit of class. And when you’re up against, Australia’s top four would be the best top four in the world … they beat the bat a few times.

“On another day they might have had four or five wickets down at stumps. So I don’t think they bowled poorly and Australia didn’t really get away from them.

“There was enough good signs there but just not long enough periods of pressure from them.”

STATE OF PLAY: WHO WILL TAKE OPENING SESSION HONOURS?

We are ready to go in Perth for day two of this match and the most important question is, how big will this Australian first innings total go?

At 2/293 at stumps, the Aussies will absolutely be thinking 500 is the play here.

How quickly can they get there?

The scoring rate was lightning quick during the second half of day one and if that maintains, Australia could reach that figure before tea.

For the tourists, they need wickets and they need them now!

The only way to get back into this match is with a bunch of wickets in this opening session.

Can they do it?

‘SHE WAS ASLEEP’: MARNUS’ BIGGEST FAN MISSES CENTURY

Marnus Labuschagne opened the Australian Test summer with a century of the highest order - but the newest member of the Labuschagne clan missed the famous moment.

Labuschagne showed his appetite for Test match runs hadn’t waned since his last ton in Galle, powering Australia to a commanding first innings lead against West Indies in Perth.

Unfortunately, his young daughter Hallie was fast asleep in the Optus Stadium players’ box when he hit the runs that took him to three figures.

In his stumps interview, Labuschagne told Fox Sports presenter Kath Loughnan it was extra special having his wife Rebekah and Hallie in the stands.

Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his century.

“My wife and daughter came over (to Perth) so it was nice for her to see her first day of Test cricket and my hundred,” he said. “Those memories will sit with you for a very long time.

“Very thankful that they’re here and this one (century) was a little bit more special as a dad.”

But Loughnan broke the news Hallie was asleep in mum’s arm when he was saluting his eighth Test century.

“I think she was asleep when you made your hundred but was quickly woken up by mum jumping up and down.”

There’s a good chance Hallie will see dad make his second double ton when play resumes on Thursday afternoon (AEDT).

Watch Australia v West Indies. Every test match live and ad-break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Originally published as Australia v West Indies: Steve Smith’s shock Ricky Ponting century admission