Smith is just like Poting, Shane Watson

Shane Watson said the summer was Stephen Smith reminds us of the rich with the bat Ricky Ponting at his best, he had the good fortune that saw Smith reach these heights. Smith is the frontrunner to win the Allan Border medal on Tuesday night, after a summer that brought him centuries in all four Tests against India, as well as three ODI tons in the past four months.

Smith led Australia to victory border, Gavaskar Trophy after Michael Clarke was injured in the first Test in Adelaide, but the leadership did not have a negative impact on his batting. Not only did he scored centuries in all his first three tests in charge, and he also became the first player ever to make a hundred on each test and ODI captain's armband for the first time.

"I was really a great honor to see the way he was hit, play and also held the same as well," said Watson. "I have been very fortunate in my career to be able to play with some great players that have played for Australia. Ricky Ponting is a person who I idolized, and was able to see up close how he dominated the cricket world for such a long period of time.