‘How would you bloody know?’ Behind the real Steve Smith… and his ‘dumbfounding’ Ashes reality

Teammates and cricket greats have reflected on Steve Smith's career, personality, and unconventional technique ahead of Australia's Test series against South Africa in Durban. With Smith recently admitting he is no certainty to feature in next year's Ashes series, peers examined how the veteran evolved from a leg-spinning all-rounder into one of Australia's finest batters.

Former selector Merv Hughes dismissed suggestions that selectors stumbled upon Smith's batting prowess, praising his remarkable adaptability across varied international conditions. Long-time teammate Josh Hazlewood noted that despite Smith's worldwide success, his grounded personality has remained consistent since their early days together in Sydney.