Steve Smith Surpasses Border: Now Just Behind Bradman in Ashes Run-Scoring History

Steve Smith scripts history, now second only to Don Bradman in this list

Amidst seaming deliveries, gloomy skies, and a pitch that offered relentless assistance to bowlers, one man stood firm—not with flamboyance, but with the quiet, obsessive focus that has become his trademark. In the latest Ashes Test, Steve Smith didn’t just score runs; he rewrote history.

During a tense, low-scoring encounter that ultimately saw England edge to victory, Smith crossed a monumental milestone: he surpassed Allan Border to become Australia’s second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history. Now, only one name looms ahead of him in this elite pantheon—the incomparable Sir Don Bradman .

This achievement isn’t just about numbers. It’s a testament to Smith’s uncanny ability to thrive under pressure against Australia’s oldest rival, across varying conditions and over more than a decade of intense Ashes battles. Let’s unpack what this milestone means—and why it cements Smith’s place among the all-time greats.

Table of Contents

The Milestone: Steve Smith Ashes Runs Cleared Border

During the first innings of the ongoing Ashes Test, Smith reached 33 runs—enough to surpass Allan Border’s long-standing tally of 2,862 Ashes runs. With that boundary, he moved into second place on Australia’s all-time Ashes run chart with 2,865+ runs and counting .

What makes this feat even more remarkable is the context: the pitch was offering steep bounce and lateral movement, England’s pace attack was in top form, and Australia was struggling at 45/3. Yet Smith, as he has done so often, absorbed pressure and anchored the innings with a patient 58—his 33rd Test half-century against England .

The Ashes Run-Scorers List: Where Smith Stands

The Ashes, contested since 1882, is cricket’s oldest rivalry. To dominate it with the bat is to earn immortality. Here’s the updated list of Australia’s highest run-scorers in Ashes Tests:

  1. Don Bradman: 5,028 runs (37 Tests, Avg: 89.78)
  2. Steve Smith: 2,865+ runs (38 Tests, Avg: 61.00)
  3. Allan Border: 2,862 runs (47 Tests, Avg: 44.17)
  4. David Boon: 2,633 runs
  5. Ricky Ponting: 2,611 runs

Note that while Smith has played more Tests than Bradman, his average of 61 is the highest among all modern batters with 2,000+ Ashes runs—proof of his sustained excellence .

How Smith Did It: Consistency Against the Arch-Rival

Smith’s Ashes journey began in 2013, but it was the 2017–18 series that announced his dominance. He scored a staggering 687 runs in four Tests, including three centuries, despite missing one Test due to the Cape Town ball-tampering ban.

His technique—backlift high, head tilted, feet shuffling—is unorthodox, yet perfectly calibrated for English conditions. He excels at leaving the ball outside off-stump and punishing anything even slightly loose. Since 2015, he has scored 10 Ashes centuries—the most by any player in that period .

Even in defeat—like the current match—Smith delivers. His ability to grind out runs when others fall defines his Ashes legacy.

Bradman’s Shadow: Can Anyone Ever Catch Him?

Don Bradman’s Ashes record is widely considered untouchable. His 5,028 runs came at a staggering average near 90 in an era of uncovered pitches and brutal fast bowling.

For Smith to catch him, he’d need to average 60+ over another 35+ Ashes innings—a tall order at age 36. Yet, as ESPNcricinfo notes, “Smith is the only active player with even a mathematical chance” .

Even if he falls short, being “second only to Bradman” is the ultimate cricketing compliment—one that places him above legends like Border, Ponting, and Hayden.

The Match Context: A Bowler’s Dream and England’s Win

The historic moment unfolded in a match defined by pace and precision. England’s bowlers—Anderson, Archer, and debutant Jacob Bethell—exploited a green-tinged Melbourne pitch to bundle Australia out for 182 and 210.

England responded with disciplined batting, led by Joe Root’s composed 74, to chase down a modest target with three wickets in hand. It was a classic Ashes thriller—low-scoring, tense, and decided by fine margins .

Yet even in defeat, the day belonged to Smith—not for winning, but for transcending the scoreboard.

What This Means for Smith’s Legacy

Smith’s legacy was already secure. But this milestone elevates him from “great batter” to “Ashes immortal.” He now stands in a lineage that includes Bradman, Border, and Steve Waugh—not just for runs, but for mental fortitude in cricket’s fiercest contest.

As former captain Mark Taylor said, “Bradman played in a different era. Smith is doing this against DRS, night-watchmen, and four-man pace attacks. That’s modern greatness” .

Conclusion: A Modern Great in Ashes Lore

The Steve Smith Ashes runs milestone isn’t just a statistic—it’s a story of resilience, obsession, and mastery over cricket’s most storied rivalry. While Don Bradman’s shadow remains long, Smith has carved out his own sacred space in Ashes history. And as long as this series continues, his name will be uttered with reverence alongside the Don’s.

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