Follow UsIt has been an incredibly special week for Steven Smith as the right-handed batter, after scoring a match-winning century in the first innings of the second Test at Lord's, is all set to enter an elite club of Australian players to feature in 100 Test matches.
Ahead of the third Test against England at Headingley in Leeds, Smith stated it has been a fantastic journey of donning the national colours.
"Proud is the word, I suppose," said Smith on being asked about his feelings ahead of the game.
"The longevity I have had in the game and what I have been able to achieve across those 100, it's been a great journey. I have loved every moment of it. To walk out in a couple of days' time at Headingley for my 100th, I am extremely excited," he said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
"To be able to walk out at Headingley, it will be a great moment for me to tick off 100 games. Not too many people have done that in the Australian set-up. There have only been 15 or 16. To tick off that number is pretty special," he added.
Smith started his Test career as a leg spinner and slowly graduated up the batting order to emerge as one of Australia's most incredible batters in the modern era.
Despite scoring three hundreds, Smith admitted that he felt confident at the international level after his knock against South Africa at Centurion. "I probably didn't feel like I could make it until my fourth hundred, which was at Centurion against the South African lineup of Morkel, Steyn, Philander and McLaren."
"Particularly the first three, they were tremendous bowlers. They had great careers. And to be able to score a hundred against them gave me a lot of confidence to know I belong at this level."
"That was probably the first time I felt it. From there, I was pretty confident in my ability. I knew what I wanted to do and how I wanted to play. It was just playing the game, enjoying it, and trying to score as many runs as possible," he said.
Despite scoring tons of runs in England, Smith has been at the receiving end from the crowd over the sandpaper incident but hopes to keep his focus on the game going ahead in the series.
"Honestly, it doesn't bother me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I know the person I am, and I know how I want to go about things. I am out here playing my game and for my country."
"Everyone can say what they like, and it doesn't bother me. Everyone can say what they want to say. But I am comfortable in my own skin. The only time I reckon I have not liked the game was when I had my elbow brace on when I had my operation."
"I don't know why for some reason, I didn't enjoy the game or want to play the game. The moment I had my elbow brace off, I was suddenly in love with the game again back in 2019. That was probably it. Outside of that, I am grateful for everything the game has given me. I am coming up to my hundredth game, and I am so excited," he added.
Australia are currently leading 2-0 in the five-match series, and a win in Leeds will ensure they win the Ashes, making it extremely special for Smith.