Smith could challenge Tendulkar's record, says Brad Hodge

After making his Test debut as a leg-spinner against Pakistan in 2010, Smith has gone on to play in another 53 Tests. The talented Aussie has already accumulated 20 centuries in less than eight years.

“He could do 40 or 50 if he’s good enough — and I think that he is, if he keeps churning them out like this,” Hodge told Fox Sports.

“He’s probably going at one (century) in (every) three (Tests) at the moment so if he keeps playing till he’s 35 — some of us play till we’re 42, so time’s on his side.

“Forty or 50 is not out of reach, I don’t reckon…He’s a superstar. I think he’ll go on to close down the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting.”

While Smith is well behind Tendulkar, who holds the record for most Test hundreds (51), Hodge pointed out that Smith, at 27 years, has time on his side.

“To reach 20 Test (hundreds) takes a helluva lot of effort and skill. He’s done that and he’s probably just going to go on," Hodge said.

“He’s got time on his side, he’s batting as best as he possibly could. Technically, he’s just completely different to what we know. He’s just leading from the front, it’s what a captain of Australia is meant to do.”