Former Test opener David Warner has backed Steve Smith to score “five centuries” against England this summer, predicting the Australian vice-captain will finish his career as the undisputed best since Bradman.
After skipping the start of the Sheffield Shield summer to enjoy a brief holiday in New York, Smith announced his return to competitive cricket with a century for New South Wales, hitting 118 against Queensland at the Gabba.
The 36-year-old struck 20 boundaries and a six during his 176-ball knock, guiding the Blues towards 5-349 at stumps on day two.
“If that man Steve Smith can score big runs (this summer), they’ll be fine,” Warner told Fox Cricket’s coverage on Wednesday.
“If Smith gets on a roll and he starts scoring runs, it’s going to be a challenge for England.”
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Asked whether Smith will finish his career as Australia’s second-best batter behind Sir Donald Bradman, Warner suggested he could achieve that recognition by the end of this summer’s Ashes campaign.
“I reckon he’s got five centuries in him,” Warner declared.
“He only had one (net session) the other day and came out and scored a hundred today; that’s Steve Smith.”
Smith currently has 36 Test hundreds, five less than Australian legend Ricky Ponting on 41, the nationl record.
Warner also predicted that Smith, who retired from ODIs earlier this year, would continue playing Test cricket through to the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“The one thing missing from him is winning in India,” Warner said.
“He knows his body now, he knows what he’s capable of – if he wants to get to that Indian series, he will.”
Indian legend Ravi Shastri warned that Smith would flourish as captain — the right-hander, who will lead Australia in the absence of the wounded Pat Cummins — averages 112.28 in Ashes Tests as skipper.
“What’s always amazed me about Steve … is his ability to adapt to different conditions and improvise, even in the middle of a series, sometimes in the middle of an innings,” Shastri said.
“(Captaincy) will get the best out of him, that’s for sure.
“He’ll be tuned on, absolutely.”
Warner added: “He’s still learning.
“If he’s still learning, god help everybody else.”
The first Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at Perth Stadium on November 21.
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