Steven Smith once again showed why he is among the best Test batters of the modern-day eras when the 37th Test century came from the Australian stand-in captain in the last Test of the Ashes series against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a venue which, as it seems, is always home to him. In the third session of Day 3, the milestone knock took place, lifting the throng to its feet. This was Smith's first century of this ongoing Ashes series and there couldn't be a better stage for doing it. Batting typically patiently controlled, he took charge of most of Australia's batting and carried the momentum built by their opener Travis Head (163). More #Ashes history for Steve Smith, who brings up another stunning SCG hundred 👏#MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/w76y8wGbWy — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2026 Steven Smith Climbs to Second Place on SCG Runs Charts With this century, it gives Smith yet another special record at the SCG. He surpassed the legendary Australian batters David Boon, Greg Chappell and Allan Border to take his position as the second-highest run-scorer at Sydney in Test cricket. Only Ricky Ponting now stands before him at that historic site. Smith's numbers at the SCG illustrate how dominant he is - averaging almost 70, with five centuries and eight fifties at the grounding. Only a handful are known to have this consistency at one venue throughout the history of cricket. The SCG has always been a happy hunting ground for Smith, and this contribution has only added to his legacy there. To do it in an Ashes Test under the weight of captaincy pressure and at the tail end of a long hot day makes it even more special. Most Test Runs at SCG Player Matches Innings Runs 100s 50s Ricky Ponting 16 27 1480 6 6 Steven Smith 13* 20 1196 5 7 Allan Border 17 29 1177 – 11 Greg Chappell 12 22 1150 4 3 David Boon 11 21 1127 4 4 Also Read | 4 Shortest Ashes Tests Ever: Fastest Matches by Balls Bowled Smith Surpasses Dravid, Eyes Sanga's Tally This century also took him one step above in the list all-time Test centuries. Before this innings, Smith had 36 Test tons to his name, the same as Rahul Dravid. With this 37th Test century, Smith passed Rahul Dravid and moves closer to the 5th spot in the all-time list, currently occupied by the Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara. He now stands just one century shy of Kumar Sangakkara's 38 Test hundreds. At the pace Smith is currently showing at the helm, this milestone will not be out of reach. Most Centuries in Test Cricket Player No. of Centuries Sachin Tendulkar 51 Jacques Kallis 45 Ricky Ponting 41 Joe Root 41 Kumar Sangakkara 38 Steven Smith 37 Smith already belongs to particular legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Joe Root, within the elite list of batters with the most Test hundreds. With just 123 Tests, his conversion rate remains the best in the history of this format. However, it became even more amazing as it was one of the setbacks from which he recovered and built a career stronger than before. This century was not merely about numbers; it was about character, patience and hunger.