Waugh likens Smith s appetite for runs with Sachin, Ponting

Sydney Dec 1 (IANS) Legendary Australia batsman Steve Waugh on Friday said current skipper Steve Smith s hunger for runs is similar to Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and Kangaroo great Ricky Ponting.

Waugh felt that Smith who stroked an unbeaten 141 to steer the Kangaroos to a 10-wicket win in the Ashes opener in Brisbane will rewrite the record books.

"He s almost going to rewrite the history books the way he is playing 21 centuries in 57 Tests -- and he didn t do so well in his first 10 or so " Waugh told reporters here.

"He s got an insatiable appetite for runs a bit like (Sachin) Tendulkar and Ponting.

Waugh who sits third on Australia s list of all-time Test run-scorers with 10 927 runs termed Smith as "incredible" adding to the chorus of former Australia skippers -- including Ponting Allan Border Greg and Ian Chappell praising the youngster.

"The great players just want to keep scoring runs they love batting and that s what he does well.

"He concentrates well overcomes plans well and just when you think you ve got him in a weak moment he ll find a way out of it " the legendary batsman added.

Already 1-0 up in the five-match Ashes rubber Australia are all set to take on England in the historic day-night second Test at the Adelaide Oval from Saturday.

--IANS
tri/bg