Ben Stokes says Australia star Steve Smith is a 'genius' but also 'strange'

England all-rounder believes you have to be unique to average more than 60 in Test cricket

Australia batsman Steve Smith is the leading Test batsman in the world. Reuters

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said Australian batsman and IPL teammate Steve Smith is a "genius" who is also "strange" as he lauded the number one Test batsman.

"He's still strange to play against and he's still strange to play with. And the best thing about it is that he admits it," Stokes said in a podcast produced by Rajasthan Royals.

"But I feel to be a genius you have to be a bit strange and you know he's certainly both," Stokes said.

"Personally, I could not think about cricket in the way that he does when it comes to batting. I could never be like that. Obviously, he's on all the time but that's why he averages 60-plus in Test cricket."

Smith was the leading scorer in the 2019 Ashes in England, retained by Australia after the series finished 2-2, having scored 774 runs in four matches.

"Even though he plays for Australia,  you've just got to hold your hands up sometimes to players like that and go 'yeah you're on a different level when it comes to batting'," said Stokes, who scored 441 runs in five matches during the series.

"You have to be on a different level with something to be like those guys when it comes to batting."

The flamboyant all-rounder also threw his wight behind Test cricket, saying the five-day format is the "pinnacle" and should not be tinkered with.

The International Cricket Council has floated the idea of four-day Tests to deal with the cluttered cricket calendar, but the plan met with intense criticism.

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Pat Cummins trains next to his cows