Langer rates Smith at par with Virat as world's best batsman
Australia coach Justin Langer feels Steve Smith is at par with Indian captain Virat Kohli as the world's best batsman after the comeback-man struck consecutive hundreds in the opening Ashes Test against England.
Langer said it's credit to Smith that he began his career as a spinner and later transformed into the best batsman in the world.
"Let's face it; when he (Smith) first came in, leg-spinner, unorthodox... (everyone thought) 'I'm not sure this kid's going to make it'. Then he goes away (and decides) 'I don't want to be a leg-spinner; I want to be the best batsman in the world'.
"Then he transforms himself and he is the best batsman in the world with Virat. It's a great credit to him," Langer said.
"I said during the summer that Virat Kohli is the best player I have ever seen but that (Smith's knocks) is just another level," the coach said.
Kohli currently leads the ICC Test rankings, while Smith has moved up to third with his latest performance.
Returning to international cricket