Ashes 2017/18, 3rd Test Day 2: 5 Talking Points

#2 Matthew Hayden’s grand record within Steve Smith’s reach

On the way to his second double hundred, Steve Smith breezed past the 1000-run milestone for the 2017 calendar year. In the process, he became only the fourth Australian after Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to reach 1000 runs in a calendar year four times.

Smith is also the second player worldwide, after Hayden, to achieve the feat in consecutive years. With this achievement, the Australian captain is now within reach of Hayden’s grand record of scoring 1000 runs in a calendar year five times.

Between 2001 and 2005, Hayden achieved the feat five times in a row, a record Smith could match if he crosses the 1000-run barrier again in 2018. Based on the form he is displaying at the moment, it would not be a surprise if he emulates the former opener.