11 June,2025 05:45 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondent
Steve Smith, Ricky Ponting (Pic: AFP)
Steve Smith on Wednesday etched his name into the record books once again as he matched Ricky Ponting's long-standing record for the most ICC final appearances by an Australian cricketer during the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.
This marks Smith's sixth appearance in an ICC tournament final across formats, that places him alongside Ponting, who also featured in six summit clashes during his storied international career. Unlike Smith, however, Ponting captained Australia in the majority of those encounters, playing a pivotal role in their dominance during the early 2000s.
Australia's consistency in major tournaments, especially in Test cricket, has been particularly notable over the past four years. They emerged victorious in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship in 2023, defeating India in the final at The Oval. Now, they are vying to retain the mace and further cement their supremacy in the longest format.
Smith has proven to be a talismanic figure for the Aussies in high-stakes matches. Out of the five ICC finals he has featured in prior to this, he has ended up on the winning side four times. Should Australia triumph once more, Smith will equal Ponting's record of five ICC trophies won as a player, yet another illustrious benchmark that speaks volumes about his enduring impact on the international stage.
When examining the broader picture, however, Indian cricketers dominate the list of most ICC final appearances. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli lead the pack with nine appearances each, having been integral to India's campaigns across formats for more than a decade. Close on their heels is all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has featured in eight finals, underlining his value as a multi-format asset.
Yuvraj Singh, a key architect of India's triumphs in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, follows next with seven final appearances. Among non-Indian players, Sri Lanka's legendary duo Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara also feature prominently with six ICC final appearances apiece, a testament to their sustained excellence during a golden era of Sri Lankan cricket.
Most ICC final appearances by players
