Steven Smith has 378 runs in the 2019 edition of the Ashes already. The next best has less than 250 runs (Rory Burns). With Jofra Archer striking Smith on the neck with a short ball, the Australian batsman is ruled out of the third Test match at Headingley. Australia were without Smith for one year in Test cricket, so is this sudden absence such a big blow?
Take a raw glance at the statistics and you see that Australia's record in Tests with and without Smith since his debut in Test cricket is pretty similar. With Smith in the side since his debut in 2010 against Pakistan, Australia have won 33 of their 66 Test matches and lost 24, while 9 Tests have ended in a draw. This gives them a win/loss ratio of 1.375 with Smith in the side.
On the other hand, even if he began as a leg-spinner, Australia have played Tests without him only 35 times in these nine years. Of these, Australia have 15 Test matches and lost 12 Tests with 8 drawn games. Without Smith, Australia have a win/loss ratio of 1.25. Not too different from their record with Smith in the side.
This suggests that Australia don't miss Smith too much when he is absent. However, there's a problem with stats. When viewed without analysis, it can convey skewed details. Dig a bit deeper on Australia's record with and without Smith and you see his influence.
Without Smith, Australia's wins mostly came in the early half of his career. In the duration of his ban last year, the Aussies lost the last Test of the series against South Africa by a record margin and went on to lose series' against both India and Pakistan. Their only series win came against a depleted Sri Lanka side at home. The series loss against India at home was their first-ever against the side at home.
In this one year period, Australia played nine Tests without Smith and lost four of those games with just three wins. All three Test wins came at home and against sub-continental sides - India and Sri Lanka.
Smith's influence is even more evident when you check his record in wins. When Australia win with Smith in the side, the middle-order batsman averages 84.95 and has 17 hundreds in 33 Test matches. In 31 of his 57 Test innings in wins, Smith scored fifty or more. Even in drawn games, Smith averages a stunning 106.75 with six hundreds and four half-centuries to his name.
Though Australia are leading the ongoing Ashes series, Smith's absence will be a huge setback for Australia, particularly with the team struggling against Jofra Archer's pace and bounce. With an average of 126 in the series, Smith will be keenly watched by the Aussies and they will hope he doesn't miss more than the one Test match on this big tour.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis
