Steve Smith is all set to reach a special milestone as he is set to become the 15th player from Australia to play 100 Tests. And, one of the best batters was left “proud” of his achievements. However, this will be only his second appearance in a Test match at Leeds, Headingley with the first was in 2010 when he scored his maiden Test half-century as well. The last time when Australia played in this venue, Smith missed out.

“Proud is the word I suppose,” said Steve Smith about his feeling about the milestone. “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.

“Yeah I didn’t enjoy that at all. Just sitting and watching the Ben Stokes show. That almost occurred again in this game… 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 further added.

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Having started off as a legspinner, Steve Smith has become a full-time batter, and he mentioned that he was not fully confident with himself even after scoring three Test hundreds as well.

“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 and enjoying it and trying to score as many runs as I can,” he stated.

Despite having a great average of close to 60, Steve Smith’s name often comes with the sandpaper-gate incident in England. But for him, it was not much of an issue. However, the milestone Test could also turn out to be special if Australia wants to seal the deal after their 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I know the person I am, 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, it doesn’t bother me. Everyone can say what they want to say. But I am comfortable in my own skin,” he stated.

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“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,” Steve Smith concluded. “I have said it for a long time, it is something that has been on my bucket list to win an Ashes series in England. What a way to top it off, if I could do it in my 100th game, it would be special for sure.”