David Warner vs Steve Smith: Who became an international star first?

Published - 30 Oct 2025, 15:51 IST | Updated - 30 Oct 2025, 16:35 IST

For over 15 years, David Warner and Steve Smith have been the celebrated batting duo of modern Australian cricket. Both world-class batters have shared the dressing room, endured controversies, won ICC titles together, and created history. However, amongst the two, Warner was first to make his international debut.

Warner, without a single first-class game to his name, debuted for Australia in a T20I against South Africa in 2009. His 89 off 43 balls on debut instantly grabbed attention for his aggressive approach. Meanwhile, Smith’s debut came through the traditional route. Initially selected as a leg-spinner who could bat a bit, Smith made his international debut in February 2010 in ODIs and Tests later that year against Pakistan.

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While Warner burst onto the scene as an aggressive top-order batter, Smith’s career was a bit slower. Warner became a regular member of Australia’s limited-overs teams before being handed the iconic Baggy Green in 2011. His opening style provided Australia with the kind of starts they were looking for. Notably, he carried the same approach both at home and overseas.

On the other hand, Smith had to reinvent himself. Initially, he was dropped after his poor Test returns. However, his comeback during the 2013 Ashes series in England, where his technique and unorthodox batting stance brought him success. From then on, Smith became Australia’s batting stalwart.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), David Warner stands head and shoulders above most. He is the most successful overseas batter in IPL history, having scored over 6,000 runs. His record includes three Orange Caps (2015, 2017, and 2019), the most by any player, and a title win as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. Smith never reached Warner’s success in the IPL. He had solid stints with Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Rising Pune Supergiants, even leading the latter to the final in 2017.

The duo faced one of the toughest phases in their career in 2018 during the infamous Cape Town sandpaper scandal. Both were at the center of the controversy, with Smith as captain and Warner as vice-captain, accused of orchestrating ball-tampering against South Africa. The fallout was severe as they were banned for 12 months and removed from leadership roles. The batting stalwarts returned in 2019 and made a sensational comeback. Smith’s 774-run Ashes series and Warner’s record-breaking 335* against Pakistan later that year drew immense praise.

Together, Warner and Smith formed the backbone of Australia’s batting lineup across formats. Both were part of Australia’s ICC triumphs, the 2015 ODI World Cup, 2021 T20 World Cup, the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC), and 2023 ODI World Cup final wins over India, respectively.

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While Smith earned praise as one of the greatest Test batters of all time, Warner became a white-ball legend. David Warner played his final Test against Pakistan in early 2024 and retired from ODIs after Australia’s triumphant 2023 World Cup and from T20Is in June 2024. Smith followed a year later, announcing his ODI retirement in 2025 after Australia’s exit from the Champions Trophy. However, Smith continues to play Tests and T20Is, and is set to lead Australia in the first Test of the Ashes series in the absence of Pat Cummins