Australia v West Indies 2022

Watch: Steve Smith straight drives gloriously, whips imperiously in highest Test score since September 2019

by Wisden Staff December 1, 2022 - 8:15am 2 minute read

Watch: Steve Smith was at his imperious best as he crafted a wonderful double-century against West Indies at Perth.

Smith, who came into the series in a rich vein of ODI form, continued in similar fashion, putting the West Indies bowlers to the sword. He stitched a valuable partnership with Marnus Labuschagne and ensured that Australia made the most of the helpful batting conditions.

His knock was filled with several drool-worthy strokes, although none was as good as the off-drive he produced off Jason Holder. The shot took place in the 130th over, with Smith batting on 133. Holder bowled it from around the wicket and landed the ball on a full length outside off stump. Smith leaned forward and caressed it through mid-off for four.

A few overs later, the former Australia captain reached 150 with an equally sumptuous clip off his pads. Alzarri Joseph drifted onto leg stump in the 139th over and he was dispatched surgically through the mid-wicket region by Smith. He brought up his double-century on the penultimate ball of this innings, before Australia declared when Travis Head was heartbreakingly bowled for 99.

This century comes on the back of a stellar ODI series against England. The right-handed batter was also among the runs in his last Test innings, scoring 145* against Sri Lanka on a turning track in Galle.