Latest news with #HomeofCricket
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Steve Smith overtakes Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers; beats Sachin Tendulkar but can't touch Virat Kohli's record
When bowlers of Australia and South Africa picked up 14 wickets on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, Steve Smith stood tall with the bat in hand. It was business as usual for the former Australia captain. The moving ball, the tumbling of wickets at the other end, didn't affect Smith as he put his head down to provide Australia bowlers with a score that they could defend. The 36-year-old scored 66 runs off 112 balls, which included 10 boundaries after coming in to bat at 16 for 2. In the process, Smith went past legends like Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers and Warren Bradsley to set up a memorable record. Continuing his love affair with the Lord's, Smith became the overseas batter with the most runs at the iconic venue. Smith now has 591 runs in the six matches in which he has featured in 10 innings at the Lord's. The right-hand batter scored has an average of 59.10 at Lord's with the help of three fifties and two hundreds. His highest score at Home of Cricket is 215. Warren Bardsley (575) Sir Garfield Sobers (571) Sir Donald Bradman (551) Shivnarine Chanderpaul (512) Dilip Vengsarkar (508) Allan Border (503) During the match, Steve Smith also overtook legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, climbing up to the second spot among batters with the highest number of fifty-plus scores in ICC tournament knockout matches. This was Smith's seventh fifty-plus score in ICC event knockout matches, overtaking Tendulkar, who had six such scores in 15 matches, scoring 682 runs at an average of 48.71 with a century and five fifties. India's Virat Kohli remains the undisputed king of ICC knockout matches, being the only player to have made 1,000 runs in such matches. He has made 1,024 runs in 22 matches and 24 innings at an average of 51.20, with a century and nine fifties (a total of 10 fifty-plus scores) and best score of 117 against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinal at Mumbai. Australia lost opener Usman Khawaja and new No.3 Cameron Green to the new ball. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head did not last long either as Australia were reduced to 67/4 after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma opted to bowl. Smith then found an able partner in young all-rounder Beu Webster. They added 79 runs for the fifth wicket before Smith uncharacteristically nicked off an Aiden Markram delivery. Speaking after the day's play, Smith humorously admitted to an error in judgment that cost him his wicket. "Don't nick the part-time off-spinner. Down the slope. I'm still trying to fathom how I've done that. But yeah, don't do that," Smith said, referring to his dismissal to Markram. Reflecting on the pitch and the evolving nature of the game, Smith added, "Just play what's in front of us. It might take a bit more spin as the game wears on. It's pretty dry. I don't know, the seam might go down as the game goes on as well, potentially. So, I think the bounce is going to be variable throughout the game, as we've seen already on day one." Smith and Webster's gritty half-centuries took Australia to 212 after being invited to bat. Kagiso Rabada breathed fire with the ball, picking up 5 for 51. He ran through Australia's lower middle order Alex Carey was dismissed. Marco Jansebn also pickled up three wickets. Australia, however, gave a strong reply with the ball. Mitchell Starc (2/10), Josh Hazlewood (1/10) and Pat Cummins (1/14) reduced South Africa to 43/4 at Stumps on Day 1, trailing Australia by 169 runs with captain Tema Bavuma and David Belingham at the crease.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Australia vs South Africa: Steve Smith goes past Don Bradman for this 100-year-old record at Lord's
Steve Smith on Wednesday etched his name in cricketing history by surpassing the legendary Don Bradman during the opening day of the Australia vs South Africa WTC Final clash at the Lord's. Smith rescued Australia from a precarious position of 4/67 after being asked to bat first, crafting a gritty 66 off 112 balls to steer his side to a total of 212. His composed knock provided much-needed stability amid a top-order collapse. In response, South Africa struggled with the bat, slumping to 43/4 by stumps and still trailing by 169 runs. In the process, the 36-year-old batter surpassed Bradman's tally of 551 runs at Lord's. With his 51st run, he also became the most successful overseas batter at the iconic north London venue, overtaking fellow Australian Warren Bardsley 's long-standing record of 575 runs — a mark that had remained unchallenged for nearly 100 years. — cricketcomau (@cricketcomau) This remarkable feat solidifies Smith's reputation as one of the modern greats of Test cricket. Live Events Known for his unorthodox technique and consistency, Smith has been a thorn in the side of many bowling attacks worldwide. His latest milestone at the 'Home of Cricket' is a testament to his class, resilience, and ability to deliver on the biggest stages. South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Jansen decimated Australia's revamped opening line-up while Smith continued his remarkable performance, achieving his 18th fifty or more runs on English grounds - establishing a new Test record for overseas batters. The experienced right-handed batter conjured a crucial 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside all-rounder Beau Webster , who played a fine innings of 72 runs. The duo accelerated their scoring rate after lunch, accumulating 50 runs in 78 deliveries, effectively regaining control of the innings following an uncertain beginning. Smith, who looked well set for a century, was dismissed by Aiden Markram after edging a fuller delivery to Marco Jansen at slip. Reflecting on the dismissal and Australia's approach for the second innings, Smith offered a wry piece of advice. When asked about any key takeaways from the day's play, he said bluntly, 'Don't nick the part-time off-spinner,' summing up the frustration of falling to a part-time bowler despite being in fine touch.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Steve Smith has maximum runs as overseas player at Lord's; scores 66 runs in WTC final
Former Australian captain Steve Smith became the highest run-getter among overseas players in the longest format of the game at London's iconic Stadium, Lord's, during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa on Wednesday. The 36-year-old player scored 66 runs off 112 balls which was laced 10 boundaries. With this innings, Steve Smith now has a total of 591 runs in the six matches where he has featured in 10 innings at the Lord's. The right-hand batter scored these runs at an average of 59.10 with the help of three fifties and two hundreds. His highest score at Home of Cricket is 215. The batters below him are Australia's Warren Bardsley (575 runs in 5 matches), West Indies' Garfield St Aubrun Sobers (571 runs in 5 matches), Australia' Don Bradman (551 runs in 4 matches), and West Indies' Shivnarine Chandrapaul (512 runs in 5 matches). During the match, Steve Smith also overtook legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, climbing up to the second spot among batters with the highest number of fifty-plus scores in ICC tournament knockout matches. Smith continues solidifying his legacy as the ultimate clutch batter for Australia, with yet another half-century against the Proteas during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. Walking in with Australia at 16/2, Smith's fluency was on showcase as he scored 66 in 112 balls, with 10 fours. His runs came at a strike rate of 58.92. This is Smith's seventh fifty-plus score in ICC event knockout matches, overtaking Tendulkar, who had six such scores in 15 matches, scoring 682 runs at an average of 48.71 with a century and five fifties. India's Virat Kohli remains the undisputed king of ICC knockout matches, being the only player to have made 1,000 runs in such matches. He has made 1,024 runs in 22 matches and 24 innings at an average of 51.20, with a century and nine fifties (a total of 10 fifty-plus scores) and best score of 117 against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semifinal at Mumbai. Coming to the match, SA won the toss and opted to bowl first, reducing Australia to 67/4 at the end of the first session. However, fifties from Smith (66) and Beau Webster (55*) took Australia to 190/6 at the end of the second session. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen being standout bowlers with two wickets each.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Steve Smith Creates History At Lord's, Breaks Record Of Most Runs In...
Last Updated: In six Test matches played so far at Lord's for Australia, Steve Smith has 576 runs to his name, which is the most by a non-English batter. Steve Smith is playing for Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against South Africa. During the second session of the first day's play currently underway at Lord's, the 36-year-old batter from Sydney entered his name in the history books by breaking the record of scoring the most runs by a non-English batter in Test matches played at the Home of Cricket. Smith needed 51 runs on Wednesday (June 11) to break former Australian batter Warren Bardsley's record of 575 runs, and he achieved the objective by taking a single on the second ball of the 33rd over of Australia's first innings bowled by Kagiso Rabada. Warren Bardsley, who featured in 41 Tests for Australia from 1909 to 1926, played five Test matches at the Home of Cricket and in seven innings amassed a total of 575 runs. Most runs by overseas batters in Tests played at Lord's The overall record of scoring the most Test runs at Lord's is in the name of legendary English batter Joe Root. Root has played 22 Tests so far at Lord's and, with the help of seven centuries and seven half-centuries, has amassed a total of 2022 runs. He is followed by countryman Graham Gooch (2015 runs in 21 Tests) and Alastair Cook (1937 runs in 26 Tests). Most Test runs at Lord's Smith, who is playing his sixth Test for Australia at Lord's these days, came out to bat at No. 4 in the WTC 2025 final and has so far hammered seven fours. Thanks to his good show with the bat so far, Aussies have managed to cross the 100-run mark in the first innings despite losing four batters—Usman Khawaja (0), Cameron Green (4), Marnus Labuschagne (17), and Travis Head (11)—in the morning session. For South Africa, fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have picked up two wickets each so far for the Temba Bavuma-led side after he opted to field first.
Sky News
13-02-2025
- Business
- Sky News
The Hundred: Cricket takes the fight to football with near £1bn auction
This might seem like history repeating itself at the Home of Cricket. A big announcement of a windfall to revitalise the sport in England. It was 17 years ago that Allen Stanford landed at Lord's on a helicopter accompanied by a treasure chest of dollar bills. They turned out to be fake and the tycoon was exposed as a fraudster and jailed. The American was promising lucrative Twenty20 competitions - the shorter format designed to attract new audiences. But India created a more dynamic and lucrative competition from the English invention. So the England and Wales Cricket Board tried again with even shorter matches - each team simply batting for 100 balls. And four years after the launch of The Hundred, the eight teams have been valued at £975m after an ECB auction. Not bad for a competition only played for one month every year. And the array of tech investors and Indian Premier League owners buying into The Hundred don't even own the venues. Lifeblood of domestic cricket These are the grounds home to counties that have been the lifeblood of domestic cricket since 1890. But this is now the era of franchise cricket where owners are building a network of clubs that could see the best players sent around the world to star in shorter competitions. It is a revolution resisted by some traditionalists seeing the erosion of longer forms of the sport, up to five-day international tests. But this is all about trying to attract new, younger audiences - and lure them from the most popular sport. 'More accessible and more fun' "Over the last five to 10 years, cricket has grown and the variety of formats that we've got just makes it more accessible, more fun and creates more positive noise," ECB chief executive Richard Gould told Sky News. "I think it's time for us to muscle in on football. And I think that's one of our ambitions. "When you look at the share of either broadcast revenue or attendees, we want to increase our market share. So certainly we've got football in our in our sights." Football investors banking on cricket success Football wants a part too, banking on a boom. Chelsea's American co-owner Todd Boehly is part of the group paying £40m for 49% of the Trent Rockets. The same deal was secured for Birmingham Phoenix by the Birmingham FC ownership, Knighthead Capital Management, which features NFL legend Tom Brady. Four of the investors also own teams in the Indian Premier League T20 competition including India's richest family the Ambani's who are paying £60m for 49% of the Oval Invincibles. And Silicon Valley wants in with the CEOs of Google and Microsoft among a consortium of tech billionaires paying the most for a team - £145m for almost half of the London Spirit. It's a premium to play at Lord's, the most iconic of venues. Can The Hundred replicate 'exciting' IPL franchise? Nikesh Arora, chief executive of cyber security firm Palo Alto, told Sky Sports: "IPL has turned out into an amazing franchise because at the end you've got to the heartstrings of people and you built a product that they're really excited about. "And the question is, can we replicate that collectively in the UK? Because that's the home of cricket. "This is the current sort of genre of cricket which is popular, so we like that idea. We like the idea that this is in a country where there's a natural demand for cricket and aspiration for cricket." And this time the ECB insists there has been full due diligence of the investors - seeing the franchises' sell-off as a golden opportunity to safeguard the future of cricket. The windfall will be split between the 18 county teams and the Marylebone Cricket Club, which owns Lord's and is seen as the guardians of the laws of the sport. Grassroots to benefit There's also set to be £50m for the grassroots game. But will the jackpot be justified when The Hundred's men's and women's teams only play a month a year? And if it does boom - will the price be international tests and the domestic country competitions fading? "It is certainly a really important opportunity for us in history, I think will judge how important it ranks," Mr Gould said. "But we know that we've got a lot of hard work ahead of us, a lot of exciting work.
