Australia vs South Africa WTC Final: Steven Smith Surpasses Bradman and Sobers at Lord’s
In a moment destined for the history books, Steven Smith etched his name among cricket’s immortals during the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final at the hallowed turf of Lord’s. On a gripping Day One against a fiery South African side, the Australian batting maestro crafted a defiant 66 off 112 balls, studded with 10 exquisite boundaries. This resilient knock didn’t just steady Australia’s ship amidst early turmoil; it propelled Smith past legends Sir Don Bradman and Sir Garfield Sobers to become the highest run-scorer by a visiting batter at the iconic ‘Home of Cricket’.
Smith’s aggregate at Lord’s now stands at an imposing 591 runs across his career, eclipsing Bradman’s 551 and Sobers’ 571. This monumental achievement places him above other luminaries like Warren Bardsley (575), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (512), Dilip Vengsarkar (508), and Allan Border (503). His mastery in challenging English conditions—often under overcast skies and on lively pitches—underscores his status as one of the modern game’s greatest Test batsmen. With a Test average hovering around 56.68 (as of early 2025 stats), Smith’s consistency is nothing short of extraordinary.
The context of his latest feat couldn’t have been more dramatic. Under brooding London clouds, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that bore fruit almost instantly. The Proteas’ pace attack, led by the lethal duo of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, tore through Australia’s top order, leaving them reeling at 67/4 by lunch. Rabada’s fiery spell accounted for two early wickets, while Jansen’s swing exploited the conditions to devastating effect. Even Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder kept the pressure on with probing lines.
Amidst the carnage, Smith emerged as Australia’s rock. His innings was a masterclass in technique and temperament—defending with precision, leaving with certainty, and punishing anything loose with clinical boundary shots. A flick through midwicket off Ngidi and a textbook cover drive off Rabada were highlights of an innings that not only frustrated the South African attack but also lifted Aussie spirits. By the time he departed, Smith had steered his side out of immediate danger, pushing the score past 150 in a critical partnership with the lower middle order.
Beyond the numbers, this knock added another chapter to Smith’s storied legacy at Lord’s. Known for his unorthodox yet brutally effective batting style, he has now scored three fifties and a century at this venue, thriving where many visiting batsmen falter. His ability to adapt—whether facing swing, seam, or spin—has made him a nightmare for bowlers in England, a country where he also famously scored 774 runs during the 2019 Ashes series, the highest by any batter in a single Ashes campaign.
As the WTC Final unfolds over the coming days, Smith’s contribution could prove to be the cornerstone of Australia’s quest for the coveted mace. With South Africa’s pace battery still posing a threat and the Lord’s pitch expected to offer more assistance to bowlers, every run from his bat will be gold. For now, though, the cricket world can only marvel at a man who continues to rewrite records and redefine greatness. At Lord’s, in the cauldron of a championship decider, Steven Smith stands taller than ever—above even the giants of yesteryear.