Australian cricketer Steve Smith has named five players he believes are the best in the business across the globe at present times. He picked up two batters before naming two bowlers and then went on to throw one all-rounder as well. He also explained the reasons behind his picks.
In an interview with Fox Cricket, Smith started with Indian batter Virat Kohli, with whom he also shares a good bond. Kohli has been an exceptional cricketer, effective across all three formats of the game. “I am starting with Virat Kohli, a world-class player in all three formats of the game. He scored a truckload of runs, phenomenal player,” Smith said.
Smith next picked up former England Test skipper Joe Root, who scored tons of runs in 2021. “Will go with Joe Root, I think the way he’s playing at the moment is sensational. It looks like every time I see the scorecard he’s getting a hundred so he’s playing phenomenal at the moment,” he said.
Read More: Kieron Pollard retires from IPL; stays with Mumbai Indians as batting coach
No place for Jasprit Bumrah in Steve Smith’s picks
When asked to pick from the bowlers front, the 33-year-old named his teammate Pat Cummins, who is currently the No.1 Test bowler in the world. Alongside Cummins, Smith also named South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, who has been in the business for a while now.
“Pat Cummins, the way he bowls, the pressure he builds, the wickets he takes. He’s just sensational to go with some pretty handy lower-order runs as well. I’ll also put in Kagiso Rabada from South Africa, I think he has been a world-class bowler for a while now. He always asks you, he gets in the contest and yeah, he really enjoys it out there,” Smith added.
From the all-rounders arena, the Australian batter selected Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, ignoring England’s Ben Stokes. Explaining his pick, he said: “I’ll put Ravindra Jadeja, I think in the last few years he has developed into one of the best all-rounders in the world and you know he is a quality player. He is amazing on the field, he is a full package.”
Smith didn’t find a spot for himself in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in Australia as the Baggy Greens had better options available. However, he continues to be a vital cog in the team’s ODI and Test setup. With the 2023 Ashes and ODI World Cup approaching, he will be hoping to be in the best possible form.
Read More: WATCH: Ben Stokes’ reply to presenter leaves everyone in splits after final win
