Aside from the series result and speculation on how Australia will fare in Perth without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, one of the big pre-series debates on either side of the Ashes divide has focused on who has the better champion batter.
England fans caused a stir last month by picking Joe Root instead of Steve Smith at No.4 in the BBC Sport’s combined Ashes XI.
In retaliation, Australians simply point to the one glaring absence from Root’s illustrious resume to highlight Smith’s superiority.
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The statistics tell a fascinating story.
If it was a contest over who has the superior record in Ashes cricket in Australia, Smith would win via knockout in the first round.
Cricket is a numbers game, but they never tell the full story.
That is why the debate rages on.
It can be tricky to separate two all-time greats.
They have both had stints as the permanent captain of their country, albeit with varying degrees of success.
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They have largely occupied the No.4 position, but have spent time in various spots throughout the top six.
They score a mammoth amount of runs but accumulate them in different parts of the ground and in different conditions.
So, we have enlisted the help of Australia’s best male cricketers to breakdown the differences, and similarities, and ultimately, give their verdict.
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HOW THEY SCORE THEIR RUNS
Smith – 10,477 runs at 56.02 with 36 hundreds and 43 fifties in 212 innings across 119 Tests. Highest score of 239. Strike rate of 53.68.
Root – 13,543 runs at 51.29 with 39 hundreds and 66 fifties in 288 innings across 158 Tests. Highest score of 262. Strike rate of 57.49.
Essentially, Smith is a leg-side dominant player, while Root is an off-side dominant player.
It is not as simple as that, however.
Of course, both players score on either side of the wicket, but they do so in a different manner.
Smith’s technique has long been regarded as unconventional, while Root is a classicist, boasting the sort of technique straight from a coaching manual.
He has scored slightly quicker across the course of their careers, but the Englishman’s strike rate has risen to 66.9 in the Bazball era.
“They’re both exceptional batsmen. They’re both very different people. I mean, they bat differently too. And that’s what makes cricket so great. You have two guys who are great to the game, but then do it so differently the way they go about it,” Usman Khawaja told Fox Cricket.
“Smudge, Steve Smith, bats more on the stumps, goes across the stumps, likes to play on side. Also has off-side skills,” he said.
“But Rooty normally stays more leg side than anything. He likes to use his hands, free his hands up through there, which in England is very, very helpful, because the ball doesn’t bounce as much. You can actually track the ball quite well, which he’s done his whole career really well.”
England’s captain Joe Root hits a boundary during the second day of the second Test match between England and South Africa at Trent Bridg.Source: AFP
The mental side of the game for both players is as big of a strength as their technical prowess.
While most coaches around the world would prefer their proteges to mimic Root’s high elbow more than Smith’s bottom-hand dominant approach, they would no doubt want their players to borrow from their ability to mentally work through challenges.
“I look at the best batters in the world and they’re usually really good problem solvers, and they usually got fast hands with the bat and I feel like Joe and Steve definitely have that,” Nathan Lyon told Fox Cricket.
Travis Head was one young batter who quickly realised that he could learn from Smith’s mental game rather than his physical as he was making his way in professional ranks.
“It wasn’t long until I was in my first-class career but I wouldn’t say Smudge is the guy to emulate too much. He’s in his own little world and bubble,” Head told Fox Cricket.
“But in terms of attributes and how they go about things and their attitude around the game, I think both are run scorers, both find ways to score runs score and quickly. They get themselves in fast and and you blink and they are sort of 30, 40, 50 runs, which I like.
“So it’s not a style or a technique basis, but about their mindset (and) how do watch them go about.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 07: Australia batsman Steve Smith hits out during day four of the 4th Ashes Test Match.Source: Getty Images
The youngest member of Australia’s squad, Cameron Green, is the only player of the current crop to have watched the pair from the couch during his formative teenage years.
Becoming a teammate of Smith’s at the age of just 21, Green has watched the superstar quickly, and there is one particular aspect of his game that the all-rounder is very fond of.
“Steve, I think he’s so unique. He’s a guy that we can’t try to copy or replicate (because) he’s so different in how he goes about cricket,” Green told Fox Cricket.
“Although his record is amazing, and I feel like some people get caught up in keeping that record, I think he’s incredibly selfless for the team as well. He reads situations really well.
“If there’s a certain situation where … let’s say he is on 80, and he’s maybe in the last two, he won’t just play for red ink. He’s keen to get the team to a great position. He’s always a good player for the team and his skill set is just outrageous.”
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WHEN THEY SCORE THEIR RUNS
Ashes statistics
Smith – 3,417 runs at 56.01 with 12 hundreds and 13 fifties in 66 innings across 37 Ashes Tests. Highest score of 239.
Root – 2,428 runs at 40.46 with four hundreds and 18 fifties in 65 innings across 34 Ashes Tests. Highest score of 180.
Innings by innings statistics (entire career)
Smith – 5,274 first innings runs at 82.40 with 25 hundreds; 2,291 second innings runs at 50.91 with seven hundreds; 2,126 third innings runs at 40.11 with four hundreds; 786 fourth innings runs at 31.44 with no hundreds.
Root – 4,023 first innings runs with 50.28 with 14 hundreds; 4,171 second innings runs at 60.44 with 13 hundreds; 3501 third innings runs at 47.95 with nine hundreds; 1848 fourth innings runs at 44 with three hundreds.
The numbers show that Smith scores plenty of runs in Ashes series, but his numbers steadily drop away as a Test match progresses.
In the past, that has largely been put down to the fatigue that comes from his admissions of struggling to sleep during a Test match, but they still show that if Australia are batting first, it is a daunting prospect for opposition teams.
Root, on the other hand, is more consistent across the course of five days, and England fans love pointing to the disparity in their numbers in the fourth innings – especially since the Bazball regime took over and began the trend of backing themselves to chase any target they are set.
Regardless of the numbers, a constant theme of both players’ careers has been scoring runs when the team needed it most.
“It’s probably more when they score runs, you know, like when there teams are in trouble or when you need a partnership. It always seems to be Smudge who’s at the other end for Australia, and vice versa for England, it’s always seems to be Joe Root,” Mitch Marsh told Fox Cricket.
Australian fans remember fondly Smith’s century on the first day of the 2019 Ashes series, in his return from his Sandpapergate ban.
England supporters meanwhile recall Root’s 130 at Trent Bridge four years earlier, after Stuart Broad’s 8/15 knocked Australia over for 60, surrendering the Ashes in the process.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during Day One of the 1st Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on August 01, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesNOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Joe Root of England celebrates reaching his century during day one of the 4th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Trent Bridge on August 6, 2015 in Nottingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Either side could pick and choose remarkable innings at will, but at the end of their day, they essentially score runs all the time.
Since his debut as a leg spin bowling all rounder in 2010, Smith has had nine calendar years with an average of more than 50, six of which have been north of 70.
Root debuted two years later, but has averaged more than 50 in eight calendar years, including the last three.
“It is probably (his) consistency. It just feels like he (has) scored runs throughout his whole career. (There has) not really been many lean patches, to be honest, that I can remember,” Josh Hazlewood said to Fox Cricket of Root.
“Whenever you come up against England, he’s always the lynch pin (that) they bat around. It feels like he probably bats a bit more time than the other guys as well (and he has) no real key weaknesses, to be honest.”
Hazlewood continued on Smith: “Again, (it is) probably that consistency (that sets him apart). When he walks out to bat, it sort of feels like a bit of a different vibe.
“I feel like the opposition bowlers go up a level initially, and he’s trying to counteract that. And then once he gets on top, it’s almost the Steve Smith show a little bit.”
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WHERE THEY SCORE THEIR RUNS
In Australia
Smith – 5,015 runs at 59.70 with 19 hundreds and 19 fifties in 100 innings across 58 Tests. Highest score of 239.
Root – 892 runs at 35.68 with zero hundreds and nine fifties in 27 innings across 14 Tests. Highest score of 89.
In England
Smith – 2,334 runs at 54.27 with eight hundreds and 10 fifties in 44 innings across 23 Tests. Highest score of 215, includes two World Test Championship finals and his debut series against Pakistan.
Root -7,329 runs at 55.52 with 24 hundreds and 33 fifties in 147 innings across 84 Tests. Highest score of 254.
In Asia
Smith – 1,994 runs at 52.47 with seven hundreds and eight fifties in 42 innings across 24 Tests. Highest score of 178*.
Root – 2,789 runs at 48.92 with seven hundreds and 11 fifties in 60 innings across 31 Tests. Highest score of 262.
The records in Australia is where a big gap opens up between the two.
Smith is formidable at home, as is Root, but the Australian’s record abroad is clearly superior.
Much has been made of the fact Root does not have a Test century in Australia leading into the start of the Ashes, and many experts have dived into analysis of why England’s prolific run scorer has failed to reach three figures down under.
Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe caused a stir in England with his pre-series comments last month, describing Root as “a nicker”.
“Wrists limper than a French handshake,” the former Aussie leg spinner said with his famous chuckle. “It doesn’t work in Australia.”
“The first two Tests are huge for Joe Root. They’re nickers’ Tests,” O’Keeffe added.
“Perth? They nick for fun there. And Brisbane day-night? Everyone nicks in Bris.
“Joe Root is a nicker. When he was last here, in his first eight innings he nicked off. Australia knows this. What will be his defensive set-up? I’m very bearish about Joe Root.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 28: Joe Root of England looks dejected while leaving the field of play after being dismissed by Scott Boland of Australia during day three of the Third Test match in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The Telegraph’s Will Macpherson identified one shot in particular that is a key to Root’s success at home because has caused him plenty of problems in his three previous tours of Australia.
“There is one shot, with a few variations, at the heart of Root’s struggle: the guided, dabbed, fiddled, manipulated, worked cut, played late, with an open bat-face, behind square on the offside,” Macpherson wrote.
“In England and many other parts of the world, this shot is among Root’s greatest strengths, a low-risk source of pressure-releasing runs. Across his career, that shot has averaged a positively Bradmanian 99.9, according to Cricviz. It is Root’s way of making runs from balls that many would allow to drift harmlessly by.”
One of the great tests of Australian and England batters is how they adapt to the challenge of the spinning ball in the subcontinent.
Smith and Root have done so with a plomb throughout their careers, but Marnus Labuschagne explained that they have done so with contrasting methods.
“They’re both amazing players. They have shown their difference. Obviously, Joe’s got a different method in the sub-continent to Steve,” Labuschagne said.
“Steve probably plays a bit more vertical and doesn’t really sweep that much, whereas Joe sweeps a lot. He is crafty, whereas Smudge sort of plays off the wicket and uses his skill, his hands, to hit square of the wicket. I mean, geez, they’re both amazing players.”
GALLE, SRI LANKA – FEBRUARY 07: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after scoring a century during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Sri Lanka and Australia at Galle International Stadium on February 07, 2025 in Galle, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Smith enhanced his reputation against the turning ball earlier this year with back-to-back centuries on the tour of Sri Lanka.
Left arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann enjoyed a prolific series, topping the wickets tally with 16 scalps, and much of his success could be attributed to learning from bowling to Smith in the nets.
“With Steve, every time I’m bowling in the nets, I’ll sort of try and follow him into the nets, because of how good he is, and he always gives you tips and whatnot,” Kuhnemann told Fox Cricket.
“He’s one of those guys who’s also never out in the nets! But he’s exceptional. Some of the places where he hits the ball are just amazing. He’s one of my favourite players of all time. I just absolutely love how he plays the game and how he plays spin in different conditions.
“One day he might set up differently to another day if it’s spinning more. He’s an absolute legend.”
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LEADERSHIP
As captain
Smith – 4,139 runs at 68.98 with 17 hundreds and 14 fifties in 69 innings across 40 Tests. Highest score of 239.
Root – 5,295 runs at 46.44 with 14 hundreds and 26 fifties in 118 innings across 64 Tests. Highest score of 228.
Like the records in Australia, another clear gap between the duo is their time as captain.
Root’s record is not poor, but is clear that he has been a better player since relinquishing the reins.
“We weren’t performing. We weren’t delivering what I thought we were capable of doing. And on a personal point of view, it had a massive impact on me away from cricket as well,” Root told Sky Sports in an interview after giving up the captaincy to Ben Stokes.
“I couldn’t leave it in the car or at the ground. I wasn’t really present at home and it wasn’t fair on my family, the people I was closest to, and it wasn’t fair on myself either.
“If you can’t even be yourself, then you aren’t able to give what that role requires, lead in the right way or lead a group of players.”
GRENADA, GRENADA – MARCH 24: England captain Joe Root waits for the toss ahead of day one of the 3rd Test match between the West Indies and England at National Cricket Stadium on March 24, 2022 in Grenada, Grenada. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Smith, on the other hand, relishes the added responsibility.
His dual hundreds in Sri Lanka came while he was in charge of the side in Pat Cummins’ absence, and the Australians will be hoping for more of the same in Perth.
The clear disparity between the two in their time as skipper is also highlighted by their conversion rates.
Josh Hazlewood recalled in his first Test series against India in the summer of 2014/15 when Smith first stepped in as captain for the injured Michael Clarke, that he simply did not miss out – scoring 769 runs at 128.16 across the four Tests.
“I remember when I first was playing in the team, we played on some really flat wickets in Australia and he just didn’t miss out,” Hazlewood said.
“Other guys would get complacent or, you know, chase a wide one, or get out for 20 or 30, and he would just make sure he got 100 and ticked them off at a rapid rate there when he became captain.”
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 16: Australian captain Steve Smith walks onto the field for the coin toss ahead of day one of the Second Test match in the Ashes series between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval on December 16, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
In recent years, Smith’s captaincy has been praised for his tactical prowess and innovation on the subcontinent.
When Cummins has been sidelined, he has led in four Tests in India and Sri Lanka for three wins and a draw – an impressive record given Australia’s history of struggles in those nations.
“If you bowl a nice ball, he’s the first person to tell you and whatnot,” Matt Kuhnemann said.
“And I’ve been fortunate enough that, I think, all the games I’ve played for Australia, he has been the first slip. And he just gives me little signals, to bowl a bit faster or a bit flatter, stuff like that, and the way he reads the game and reads other other batters is exceptional. That’s why he’s so good.”
“We are going to win the series!” | 02:25
THE VERDICT
Since the start of 2021
Smith – 3,240 runs at 46.95 with ten hundreds and 14 fifties in 77 innings across 44 Tests.
Root – 5,720 runs at 56.63 with 22 hundreds and 17 fifties in 111 innings across 61 Tests.
In the past five years, Root has gone to a new level and has clearly been the best batter on the planet in that time.
The Bazball era rejuvenated his game, scoring 22 hundreds since the start of 2021 is simply ridiculous, and he has raced up to second on the list of all-time leading Test runs scorers, and a few more years of such prolific run scoring could even given Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 runs a shake.
“His thirst for runs is so evident. It was weird thinking five to six years ago that he was a lesser of the four (including Williamson and Kohli). And then now he’s …. I’d say, personally, slotting behind Steve on what he’s achieved. It’s unbelievable what he’s been doing recently,” Cameron Green said.
“The game he has got himself too, it looks like he loves working hard on his technique. I think he might have got out a certain way and then you can see quite clearly in the next innings, he’s got a different way to go about it.
“So I think the adaptability of Joe and his thirst for runs has been very unique and obviously (he has had) an amazing career.”
TOPSHOT – England’s Joe Root celebrates after scoring double century (200 runs) during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on October 10, 2024. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)Source: AFP
It is perhaps forgotten that Australian quick Mitchell Starc played alongside Root in the early days of his county career, and having seen so much of both of them, found it hard to split the pair.
“With Steve, to have seen it firsthand with Steve, I’ve been very lucky to only played in the same teams as Steve, so I haven’t had to bowl to him in too many games, which has been nice,” Starc told Fox Cricket.
“I sort of played alongside Joe at Yorkshire, and I’d only played maybe one or two games, and Joe hadn’t played for England yet, but he has always had that thirst to improve, to hit a lot of balls, to be the best. So that’s something I guess he’s taken through his international career, and you can draw similarities to the way Steve thinks about his cricket.
“They (have) both had time as captain. They’re both prolific run scorers. They have both had prolific Ashes series. If you had them both in the same team, you could build an incredible batting lineup around those two. It’s hard to separate their approach, I think.”
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 15: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates his century during day two of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on December 15, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Smith’s inferior record in recent times could be largely attributed to how difficult Test match batting has been in Australia in that time period – the collective batting average across the last five summers has been 26.75 as bowlers have run riot on green surfaces.
At the same time, England have been playing their home Tests on benign, batting-friendly pitches, and the challenge of doing it tough is why Labuschagne still backs Smith over Root.
“I would go with Smudge,” he told Fox Cricket.
“I think his adaptability to have been able to do it in tough conditions, in good conditions, the way he’s done it is amazing.
“But I have batted a lot with Smudge, so I wouldn’t mind batting with Joe Root. It’d be a nice change.”
