Steve Smith vs Brian Lara

[Johan]

almost equal but Smith.

 

[Sliferxxxx]

But did Smith ever have to deal with dodgy umpiring? How much of an impact would that have had on his career because legends of the past would get poor decisions especially "away" from home in almost every prominent series. We already deal with small sample sizes when it comes to record in a particular country. A few poor decisions can significantly downgrade your away record. Lara faced poor decisions, while the number of poor decisions Tendulkar faced away from home is literally unprecedented. I stumbled upon India's 2007-2008 tours and recalled these-

2007 England v India, Nottingham Test-

View attachment 44177


2008 Australia v India - Perth Test

View attachment 44178

He had 493 runs in Australia 07/08. He was looking set for a ton in Perth as well until that decision. So we can safely assume 500+ in the series. In fact he could have done the same in 99/00 BGT as well. i just wonder how ridiculous Tendulkar's away record would've been if opposition and certain umpires didn't hold a grudge against him. Cricket is a game of momentum. 1 bad decision can derail your series and your team's. It's hardly a surprise that teams like Australia would never lose at home. And I bet Windies and Viv suffered enough decisions as well. So we really make a mistake of taking records pre-DRS on face value. We can't. Cricket was very different.

Yeah didn't watch Sachin that much but damn that's bad. But Lara I know for sure got some howlers. Examples being Healey claiming a stumping when he didn't have the ball in hand and also claiming a grassed catch in the 92-93 series. In SL in 2001, lara survived one or two close lbw shouts but he also literally smashed a ball into the ground (2nd test i believe) and was given out...smh. The whole 2005 series in Australia was also pretty horrendous etc

 

[centurymaker]

Australia was notorious for bad umpiring against touring sides top players.

Even ignoring the shoulder before wicket dismissal, Tendulkar still had 2 other bad decisions in 99/00 plus Gabba in 03/04 plus Perth 07/08. If you even take off 4 outs from his record in Australia, his average there rises by 7-8 points.

So when I judge a batsman it is not just average but complete "batsmanship". How good they are when batting, how good is their defence, their technique, how do they handle top bowlers, how dominant they are, how is their stroke making, how adaptable they are. Can't just go off numbers alone as cricket is greatly influenced by chance/luck and even bad decisions before.

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

So this post was created on 2 September 2023. In total (2023, 2024, 2025 so far), Smith has achieved:

Matches: 27
Innings: 49
Runs: 1881
Average: 42.75
Not Outs: 5
Ducks: 3
50s: 6
100s: 7
50+ Scores: 13
Highest Score: 141 (vs Sri Lanka, 2025)

I was also bored and decided to look at Brian Lara's final 3 calendar year's which resulted in (2004, 2005 and 2006):

Matches: 31
Innings: 56
Runs: 3037
Average: 55.21
Not Outs: 1
Ducks: 7
50s: 6
100s: 11
50+ Scores: 17
Highest Score: 400* (vs England, 2004)

 

[DrWolverine]

Lara’s resurgence started in one of the easiest eras for batting whereas Smith is now playing in a bowling era

 

[govinda indian fan]

So this post was created on 2 September 2023. In total (2023, 2024, 2025 so far), Smith has achieved:

Matches: 27
Innings: 49
Runs: 1881
Average: 42.75
Not Outs: 5
Ducks: 3
50s: 6
100s: 7
50+ Scores: 13
Highest Score: 141 (vs Sri Lanka, 2025)

I was also bored and decided to look at Brian Lara's final 3 calendar year's which resulted in (2004, 2005 and 2006):

Matches: 31
Innings: 56
Runs: 3037
Average: 55.21
Not Outs: 1
Ducks: 7
50s: 6
100s: 11
50+ Scores: 17
Highest Score: 400* (vs England, 2004)

Smith had resurgence post Adelaide test 2024. Must be averaging 50+ since then

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Smith had resurgence post Adelaide test 2024. Must be averaging 50+ since then

If we only do 2024 and 2025 (so far), the numbers for Steve Smith are:

Matches: 14
Innings: 25
Runs: 952
Average: 43.27
Not Outs: 3
Ducks: 2
50s: 3
100s: 4
50+ Scores: 7
Highest Score: 141 (vs Sri Lanka, 2025)

 

[Johan]

Smith is better marginally.

 

[subshakerz]

Smith by this point has surpassed Lara. More consistent, no major weaknesses in game or record and better in peak and off peak.

 

[morgieb]

Yeah think the last six months has finally pushed Smith ahead of Lara. Previously I found his record too reliant on a super-dominant peak, one where he had a significant advantage of playing on some utterly rank roads at home. This second wind however does mean he was going at an ATG level pace of longer and he's also doing it on tougher wickets.

Lara's strengths are pretty remarkable but he had a long patch of middling returns and his record against elite pace looks kind of dodgy?

 

[subshakerz]

his record against elite pace looks kind of dodgy?

Definitely

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Smith is better marginally.

Neither are miles ahead of each other. Smith is definitely the best of his generation.

Where Smith fits into the overall scheme of things....always a tricky task.....as it always is with those elite batsmen.

 

[kyear2]

Neither are miles ahead of each other. Smith is definitely the best of his generation.

Where Smith fits into the overall scheme of things....always a tricky task.....as it always is with those elite batsmen.

Yeah, it's marginal, but I've had Smith just slightly ahead a while now.

 

[kyear2]

Definitely

Anyone else's?

 

[subshakerz]

Anyone else's?

No.

 

[kyear2]

No.

You're funny

 

[govinda indian fan]

Imo if smith continues like this in a year would go past viv and sachin for me

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Yeah, it's marginal, but I've had Smith just slightly ahead a while now.

For me, its Lara ahead. But its all opinion.

 

[honestbharani]

In the tier below Bradman, it goes -

Sobers > Lara > Sachin > Smith > Viv