There is a possibility that Steve Smith might not play another Test at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. Smith who has a good run at the Lord's, has a chance to break all-time record for most runs by a visiting batter (non-England batter). All he needs to do is score 51 runs to reach the summit as Australia take on South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final starting June 11.
Three legends in Smith's way to top
The top spot belongs to Australia's Warren Bardsley. The left-handed batter has scored 575 runs from seven innings at an average of 115, including two centuries and as many half-centuries. In his last Test appearance at the Lord's, he remained unbeaten for 193.
Smith will have to surpass a few greats on his way to the top. The second on the list is West Indies' legendary all-rounder Gary Sobers who has 571 runs from nine innings at an average of 95.16, including two centuries and as many half-centuries. Sobers is followed by another Australian legend, probably the best batter the world has ever seen, Sir Don Bradman. From eight innings, Bradman ascored 551 runs at an average of 78.71, including two centuries and a fifty.
Smith's record at Lord's
Smith is fourth on the list with 525 runs from nine innings at an average of 58.33, including two centuries and two fifties. The last time Smith played a Test at Lord's was in Ashes 2023. He scored 110 in the first innings and helped his side beat the hosts by 43 runs. In 2015, he scored a double century at Lord's. Australia neded up winning the Test by a huge margin of 405 runs.
Lord's - Smith's second favourite ground
Ahead of the WTC 2025 final, Smith revealed that Lord's is his second-favourite ground outside of Sydney. He had a cheeky remark with days to go into the WTC final as well.
"I think it's probably, outside of Sydney, my favourite ground to play at," he said. "The history, the surface itself. It always takes a few balls just to get used to that slope. One end you feel like you're standing really tall, the other end you feel like you're falling over a little bit. But the ball races away, both up the hill and down the hill," Smith told ESPNCricinfo.
"And then the lunch is fabulous. They always say it's a great place to miss out so you can enjoy your lunch. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the last few years I've done really well there, so I haven't been able to cash in on that."