Taming the run machine — the most successful bowlers against Steve Smith

England's Stuart Broad has dismissed Smith the most number of times in Tests — seven times in 22 Tests.

Prolific: Smith has already notched up three centuries in the ongoing Ashes series. Photo: AP

Steve Smith assumes the role of a run machine whenever the Ashes come along. Since 2015, Smith has scored 1541 runs in 12 Tests against England, at an average of 85.61. He has six centuries and four half-centuries under his belt in 18 Ashes innings in this period.

He was hardly this prolific at the start of his career. In the nine Tests he played against England between 2010 and 2013, he averaged 33.43.

Overall, Smith has played 26 Tests against England in his career so far, far more than any other opponent. India comes second — he has played 10 Tests against India.

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And so, when it comes to the bowlers who have dismissed him the most number of times, it is perhaps little surprise that the list would be topped by an English bowler. Seamer Stuart Broad has dismissed Smith seven times in 22 Tests, and his new-ball partner James Anderson six times.

The bowlers who seem to have troubled Smith more than these seamers, are perhaps spinners Yasir Shah and Rangana Herath. Yasir, the leg-spinner, has dismissed Smith six times in just four Tests, and Herath five times in three. India's Umesh Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, and New Zealand's Trent Boult, have all dismissed Smith four times.

If considering all international cricket, Broad comes first again — he has 10 dismissals in 31 matches across formats. Next are Anderson and Umesh — seven each. While Anderson has seven dismissals from 29 matches, Umesh has seven from 15.