### Steve Smith's Historic Achievement: Surpassing Don Bradman in Ashes Runs Steve Smith has etched his name in cricket history by surpassing the legendary Don Bradman to become the player with the most runs against England in international cricket. This remarkable feat was achieved during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 6, 2026. Smith's performance not only solidified his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation but also highlighted his dominance in the Ashes series, where he has now scored 13 centuries, trailing only Bradman's all-time record of 19 centuries against England. ### Breakdown of Smith's Achievements and Records 1. **Record-Breaking Century**: - Smith scored his 37th Test century, becoming the first player since Don Bradman to achieve 14 centuries against England, with 13 of those in the Ashes series [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/steve-smith-breaks-78-year-old-world-record-becomes-first-player-in-history-since-don-bradman-to-score-14-centuries-against-england-article-153407017]. 2. **Ashes Milestones**: - He surpassed Jack Hobbs to become the second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history, amassing 3,644 runs, while only Don Bradman remains ahead [https://www.republicworld.com/cricket/steve-smith-now-second-only-to-legendary-don-bradman-upon-securing-mega-milestone-in-ashes-test-history]. 3. **Match Context**: - At the end of Day 3 of the Test, Australia led England by 134 runs, with Smith's unbeaten score of 129 contributing significantly to the team's total of 518/7 [https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/ashes-fifth-test-steve-smith-scores-century-australia-501.htm]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Statistics**: - **Total Test Centuries**: 37 - **Centuries in Ashes**: 13 - **Runs in Ashes**: 3,644 (second only to Don Bradman) - **Fastest to 37 Centuries**: Achieved in 219 innings, making him the third-fastest in history [https://firstsportz.com/steve-smith-answer-joe-root-37th-test-ton-solidifying-australia-command-scg-test]. - **Comparative Achievements**: - Smith's 13 Ashes centuries place him in an elite group, with only Bradman ahead in terms of total centuries against England [https://www.india.com/sports/steve-smith-creates-history-with-a-century-in-the-ashes-surpasses-don-bradman-in..., only Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar remain ahead overall]. ### Conclusion: A New Chapter in Cricket History In summary, **Steve Smith's recent achievements in the Ashes series have not only broken long-standing records but have also reaffirmed his status as one of cricket's all-time greats**. His ability to perform under pressure and consistently score runs against a formidable opponent like England is a testament to his skill and determination. 1. **Historic Milestone**: Surpassed Don Bradman for most runs against England. 2. **Ashes Dominance**: Became second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history. 3. **Team Impact**: Contributed significantly to Australia's commanding lead in the final Test. Smith's legacy continues to grow, and as he chases further records, cricket fans around the world eagerly anticipate his next moves on the field [https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/travis-head-steve-smith-ashes-5th-test-australia-vs-england-record-13965911.html].