‘It is not by fluke that he is still playing’- David Warner feels Steve Smith’s work ethic has made him special

After Steve Smith’s 35th Test century on Day 1 of the first Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, David Warner showered Smith with adulation.

After surpassing legendary cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Younis Khan, the stand-in captain of Australia currently holds the sixth-highest number of centuries in the longest format.

Former teammate David Warner praised Smith’s amazing work ethic after he hammered a spectacular century on a batting paradise in Galle.

He simply puts in a lot of effort and is a fantastic cricket player. He actually eats sandwiches made of cricket balls. He would be the first and last in the nets in the early years of his career. You could tell Steve was on when he was hitting a lot of balls. “His continued playing is not a coincidence,” Fox Cricket cited Warner as saying.

Warner noted Smith’s capacity to bat for extended periods of time and recalled how, while playing with the right-handed hitter on the national team, he was astounded by his skill.

“His perseverance in batting for extended periods of time, getting himself in, and scoring runs for the team is incredible.” You go back and ask yourself, “If I hit that many balls, would I have that much time?” after you’ve been up the other end and watched him do it effortlessly and with so much time. Not in my opinion. Nevertheless, he continued, “He has a natural talent and ability to do that and churn our hundreds for fun and many runs for Australia.”

After facing 251 balls and hitting 12 boundaries and two sixes, Smith was eventually out for 141. Australia amassed a huge first innings total of 654 thanks in part to the 35-year-old.

Warner retired in January 2024, and Smith took over as Australia’s Test opener. The Sydney native, nevertheless, didn’t enjoy his new job with the bat. However, Smith has once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the best batsmen in red-ball cricket after reclaiming his favorite No. 4 position during the Border-Gavaskar series.