Steven Smith climbs the top of the ICC ladder

When he was awarded Allan Border medal in January 2015, for his prolific performance of scoring 1,756 runs in 22 matches at an average of 67.54 matches which included eight 50s and seven 100s, Australian Cricket was aware of a rising star amidst them. He also won the Australian Player of the year award the very same time.

 Steve Smith is currently ranked as the youngest cricketer just after India’s Sachin Tendulkar to be ranked as number one in the latest ICC test rankings. India’s hero Virat Kohli although saw a drop in his ranking as he stands now at no. 11. Australia’s Michael Clarke was once on the first position in the year 2012. Steve Smith who is just 26 years old celebrated his birthday on 2 June. This climb at the top of the ladder comes to him after Australia registers a 277 runs win over West Indies and clinched the trophy and series by 2-0. During his play Steve was unfortunate to complete his maiden double century by an agonising one run at Kingston.

Steven Smith thundered his batting and bowling performance by contributing in the IPL season 8 by leading from the front as captain.  In IPL 2014, he was bought for 40 million dollars. He previously had a tough time getting tossed from one IPL team to another although he had started the IPL season 2010 as a replacement to Jessy Rider in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. In IPL 2015 he ensured his team of victories although it exited in the play-offs.

In his career he was made the permanent vice-captain of Australia in the December 2014. In the 2014-15 test series against the Indian cricket team, Smith took over as a captain. This happened as Michael Clarke suffered an injury. He had made his international debut in a T-20 match against Pakistan in Melbourne February 2010. In the same year he made his ODI debut too against West Indies again in Melbourne. In 2013 Ashes series, Smith scored his maiden test century by hitting a six to complete his 100 at Oval.

Smith replaced Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara to quench his thirst for no.1 spot. But Sangakkara has a chance to get his position back as the Sri Lankan team will play a 2 test series at home against Pakistan from tomorrow.