Steve Smith’s an insatiable run-scoring beast — and he wants more

Steve Smith has been piling up records like he gobbles up balls at practice through his three Tests so far — and those in the know have some bad news for the Poms.

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For England, it was the scariest thing they could possibly hear with one Test still to go and Australia, with the Ashes retained, desperate to go on and complete England’s pain by winning the series.

Steve Smith has been piling up records like he gobbles up balls at practice through his three Tests so far, and now sits in company he only shares with Sir Donald Bradman.

But Smith’s captain, Tim Paine, actually thinks he’s getting better.

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Steve Smith celebrate in the change rooms after Australia claimed victory to retain the Ashes at Old Trafford. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

England captain Joe Root will be seeing the Australian batting genius in his nightmares, playing the sort of shots that even coach Justin Langer can’t explain, as he’s done in racking up a mammoth 671 runs in just five innings.

But Smith, man of the match at Old Trafford after a Bradmanesque double of 211 and 81, has such an insatiable thirst for doing his favourite things, batting, that another opportunity at The Oval, having not been able to do it for 12 months, is more food for the run-scoring beast.

Steve Smith averages 144.00 from the two #Ashes Tests he's played at The Oval... pic.twitter.com/TWeXFzZS5B

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 8, 2019

“Anyone who's watched him bat know the talent, hunger and skill that he has got,” Paine said.

“People don't see how driven he is and how he trains, eats and sleeps batting. He is just a genius and I never had any doubt he would come back and be the player he was.

“The scary thing is he's getting better. I don't know where it is going to stop but we are enjoying being on the ride that is for sure.

The many shots of Steve Smith

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Root said what so many other Ashes watchers have been thinking, that without Smith, they could have been some sort of chance.

Steve Smith is all smiles as he and his teammates celebrate the victory that retains the Ashes at Old Trafford. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

That’s underselling the powerhouse, precise effort of a generational Australian pace bowling battery which has ripped through England to win two Tests, and narrowly lose another.

But Smith’s run haul, nearly double that of the next best Ben Stokes (354), has been ultimately significant.

“Look at the Test matches and there have been times when one guy has made a difference and that has probably cost us the urn this time around,” Root said.

Aussie Cricket Team celebrate in the sheds

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Steve Smith has been magnificent, super-human almost, but don't forget the bowlers that take the wickets. Pat Cummins has been excellent throughout and Josh Hazlewood is always good.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 8, 2019

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“Take Steve Smith out and it would be very similar from both teams.

“Bowling at Steve Smith, in his form is difficult and you have to make sure you take all your chances. We did not do that and that cost us.”

It’s cost England two hundreds, a double-century, and the Ashes so far.

If Smith has his way, it will be another Test as well.