Steve Waugh Believes Steven Smith's Appetite for Runs Similar To Sachin Tendulkar

Steven Smith has had a phenomenal year in Tests and ODIs. In the 2015 World Cup, Smith scored a fifty in the quarter-finals, a century in the semi-finals and an unbeaten fifty in the final to guide Australia to their fifth World Cup crown.  (How Steven Smith Can be The One Man Demolition Army)

In Tests, after moving to the No. 3 spot, Smith has scored 791 runs at an average of over 70. Prior to the start of the World Cup, Smith had scored 769 runs in the four-Test series against India. (Steven Smith Join List of Australia Greats)

This hunger for runs has made former Australia skipper, Steve Waugh, compare Smith's appetite for runs with Sachin Tendulkar, a batsman who was the epitome of consistency and big scores.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Waugh said that Smith will sort out any issues that he has with his batting and was improving at the No. 3 slot.

"I don't mind him batting at number three. He is improving all the time. His last year has been quite phenomenal. His technique will tighten up a bit. But, he has got a great eye and he has got good placement of the ball.

"Never seen a batsman hit the gaps as well as he does. He has got really good hands and that compensates perhaps for his footwork not being as sharp as some of the other players.

"He is not technically a perfect player, but he has got that inner desire more to score runs, a bit like a Tendulkar. Once he gets a hundred he wants to go on and get a big score every time," Waugh stated.

Following the retirement of Michael Clarke from both ODIs and Tests, Smith has been appointed as full-time skipper for Australia in Tests and ODIs. He will start his tenure during Australia's two-Test tour of Bangladesh.

"I think he's pretty much an aggressive batsman with a good mindset. I think he takes it into the captaincy as well. He loves batting, he loves scoring runs and the other guys they like his leadership, they follow what he is doing," Waugh added.