Fourth Ashes Test: Old Trafford, 4-8 September.

[Durhamfootman]

Australia scoring freely atm, by the looks of it

[backfootpunch]

Awful review

Never looked remotely close to being out

[backfootpunch]

Stokes and overton going for far too many runs

2 bad balls every over

[Arthur Crabtree]

Smith's 8th consecutive ashes 50, seemingly

Not even Bradman did that.

And he didn't have to face Craig Overton.

[Durhamfootman]

he might have averaged 100 if he had

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only 44 overs, but good progress for the Aussies.

[yuppie]

That is some brilliant banter

Australia seem to only have 1 batsman that can make a big score.

Expect Head to get another 30 -70 and like Manus not being able to build on it.

These are handy runs, but Australia needs more than just one batsman to be able to go on with it.

[yuppie]

Where does Smiths form rate against other Australias recent greats.

Clarke from the end of 2011 into the start of 2013 where his talent finally showed itself before his back went?

Ponting from about 2002 to 2006. Probably the most dominant batting from a number 1 in recent times.

Maybe Hayden from 2001 to 03 at the height of the great Australian team?

Where does Smiths present form put him? Is he the best of this lot, better than Ponting? In a test series where the ball is dominating, today his innings was played with 95% control.

Does he stand out because no one else can bat? Or is the form of the last 5 years the best that their has been from an Australian in test cricket since possibly the Don?

Is Smith like Lara? A great surrounded by mediocrity?

[GGAS]

If Smith is like Lara, is Root like... Ramnaresh Sarwan?

[yuppie]

Maybe more Jimmy adams, great start to his career but then....

[Gingerfinch]

Punter averaged around 70 over that 4-5 year period, which is what Smith is averaging from around 2014 time. Punter was more dominating than Smith but played in a better team, obviously.

Hussey had a purple patch from memory. Not sure how long it lasted though?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Statswise Smith's average overall is second only to the Don.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

So it's a question of evaluating other factors like quality of bowling/pitches/teammates and maybe where he played his games. Also ice dancing type factors like style and personality which are subjective.

Smith will tail off at some point. So we don't know where he'll end up. Maybe behind Adam Voges.

[GarlicJam]

Only 44 overs, but good progress for the Aussies.

When I woke and looked at the score, my first thought was that it was probably a good thing for England, the truncated day's play.

[Durhamfootman]

Statswise Smith's average overall is second only to the Don.


Smith will tail off at some point. So we don't know where he'll end up. Maybe behind Adam Voges.

I think at one point Mike Hussey found himself in this position, so wherever Mike Hussey is now, Smith will probably end up being higher

where will Roy end up?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Batting at 11?