Cricket
Root vs Smith: The Verdict: A Multi-Layered Analysis of Test Cricket’s Modern Masters
Test cricket invariably places its heroes on a pedestal. Whether it is pitting Indian legends such as MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli or other cricket greats such as Joe Root and Steve Smith, the debate is often perennial as to who was the more complete Test batsman.
Steve Smith, Captain of Australia and Joe Root, Captain of England//Getty Images
Root and Smith, who are undisputed parts of the ‘Fab 4’ in cricket, have carved out incredible careers. This begs the question: Who is better, Root or Smith? SportsBoom never takes things at face value, and a proper Test batting legends comparison requires being scrupulous with our cricket analysis of Root and Smith.
To achieve our aim, we took a multi-layered approach. We conducted a thorough statistical analysis known as the ‘SB Score’ before gauging ‘Industry Insights’ from cricket sources. We combined these into an overall total ‘SB Market Index Score’, giving us a more data-driven answer.
SB Market Index & Result
| Player | SB Score (Value) | SB Score (Weighted 20%) | Industry Insights (Value) | Industry Insights (Weighted 80%) | ‘SB Market Index’ |
| Steve Smith | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 5.6 | 5.6 |
| Joe Root | 1 | 0.2 | 5 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
The Statistical Deep Dive – The ‘SB Market Index’
Numbers provide a crucial starting point. Let’s examine Steve Smith and Joe Root’s core Test statistics before applying our ‘SB Score’ methodology.
| Player | Test Matches | Test Runs | Batting Average |
| Joe Root | 153 | 13,006 | 50.8 |
| Steve Smith | 117 | 10,350 | 56.55 |
Source: Stats taken from ESPNcricinfo
SB Score Methodology Explained
Our SB Score considers key batting metrics, primarily Test runs (20% indicative weight) and Batting Average (80% indicative weight). For the input into our final ‘Overall Total Score’, a simplified ‘SB Score’ was assigned based on a holistic view of these stats.
The ‘SB Score’
| Player | ‘SB Score’ |
| Joe Root | 1 |
| Steve Smith | 0 |
Interpreting this ‘SB Score’
In this initial statistical component feeding our final model, Joe Root (SB Score: 1) is assigned a higher indicative score than Steve Smith (SB Score: 0).
The Court of Expert Opinion – Industry Insights
Beyond statistics, expert perception plays a key role. We have presented the thoughts of cricket experts on Root and Smith.
Industry Insights Methodology Explained
We surveyed reputable cricket sources, awarding a point to the player more frequently favoured as the ‘best Test player’ in direct comparisons.
Industry Insights’ Scorecard
| Player | The Guardian | The Times | TalkSport | Adelaide Now | Forbes | MyKhel | Cricket.com.au | Cricket Country | Firstpost | eNCA | Industry Insights |
| Joe Root | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Steve Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Our survey indicates Steve Smith (5 ‘Industry Insights’ Points) is slightly LESS favored by this selection of publications compared to Joe Root (7 ‘Industry Insights’ Points).
The Final Verdict: The ‘Overall Total SB Market Index’
To reach a comprehensive conclusion, we have combined our ‘SB Market Index’ with ‘Industry Insights’ using a final weighting.
Overall Total ‘SB Market Index’ Methodology Explained
The Overall Total ‘SB Market Index’ pays more deference to expert consensus. To calculate the final ‘SB Market Index’, SportsBoom placed more of an emphasis on Industry Insights (80% weightage) while the SB Score (20% weightage) suggests the value of expert opinions.
The Contenders: A Glimpse at Two Modern Greats
Joe Root
Earmarked for greatness early on, Joe Root boasted a classic technique, and he was particularly strong against spin. For over a decade, he carried England’s Test hopes on his shoulders, and he thrived under the pressure.
His stats compare very favourably with the other Fab 4 batsmen, and a new ‘Bazball’ philosophy gave Root a fresh lease of life, exhibiting his attacking instincts. As England’s most prolific Test run-scorer, he served his country with distinction.
Steve Smith
Despite his more unorthodox approach, Steve Smith’s Test average showed his incredible powers of concentration, and he had an insatiable appetite for scoring runs.
He relished the Ashes series against England, and he was arguably the most complete package as a Test batsman.
Declaring the Winner (Based on the Final Model with ‘SB Market Indexes’
After this multi-layered analysis, applying an 80% weight to ‘Industry Insights’ and 20% to our ‘SB Score’, Steve Smith emerges with a higher ‘Overall SB Market Index Score’ of 5.6, compared to Joe Root’s 4.0.
Therefore, within the parameters of this specific model, Steve Smith is ranked as the marginally superior Test batsman.
Conclusion
After using our comprehensive model for our Joe Root vs Steve Smith Test comparison, which was heavily influenced by our ‘Industry Insights’, Smith had the slight edge.
The debate, nevertheless, has gripped us. The Root vs Smith stats comparison shows Root had a marginally better ‘SB Score’, but Smith’s higher expert rating arguably carries more gravitas.
Both players are undeniably generational talents who left a huge impact on Test cricket. If pushed on who is the best Test batsman, Root or Smith, the notion of best is always rather subjective. However, cricket fans remain privileged to watch their ongoing contributions to the sport.
SportsBoom Suggests
The Root vs Smith debate will fuel discussions for years. While models like this offer analytical angles, assessing their performances in Test matches will always weigh current form, pitch conditions, opposition quality, and their remarkable historical records heavily.
REFERENCES
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A breakdown of the top Test run scorers: Exploring Joe Root’s Test record and Steve Smith’s influence in the Test arena - https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-runs-in-career-223646 Accessed June 17, 2025
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.