Steve Smith Achieves 10,000 Test Runs, Fastest Aussie to Reach the Milestone
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Synopsis
Veteran Australian cricketer Steve Smith has reached the impressive milestone of 10,000 Test runs on the first day of the Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, becoming the fourth Australian and the 15th player overall to achieve this remarkable feat.
Key Takeaways
- Steve Smith becomes the fourth Australian to score 10,000 Test runs.
- He reached the milestone in 205 innings, making him the fifth fastest in history.
- Smith's average exceeds 55, with only Kumar Sangakkara having a better average past 10,000 runs.
- Former captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting also achieved this milestone.
- Smith scored his 10,000th run on his first ball faced in the match.
Galle, Jan 29 (NationPress) Seasoned cricketer Steve Smith marked a significant achievement by reaching 10,000 Test runs with his very first scoring shot on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. The acting captain has become the fourth Australian to hit this prestigious milestone and the 15th globally.
The 35-year-old now joins the ranks of Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting as the only Australians to amass 10,000 Test runs. Notably, all three were the captains of their respective teams when they achieved this remarkable feat.
Smith reached this milestone by nudging a single off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya in his 205th innings, making him the fifth fastest batter to achieve 10,000 Test runs by innings.
In terms of matches played, only Brian Lara (111) has reached this milestone in fewer Tests than Smith's 115. He joins the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara (both with 195 Tests), and Ricky Ponting (196) as the only players who have achieved this in fewer innings.
Among Australians, only former captain Ricky Ponting has reached this remarkable number faster, doing so in just 196 innings.
Smith's impressive tally comes at an average exceeding 55, with Kumar Sangakkara being the only player with a better average above the 10,000 runs milestone (57.40). Among current players, only Joe Root has a higher total with 12,972 Test runs.
Having previously missed his chance for a fairytale moment at the SCG against India when he fell just short at 9,999 runs, Smith seized the opportunity to score his landmark run on his very first ball on Wednesday.
The right-handed batsman came in to bat at a score of 137/2 during the first session and quickly made his mark with a single off Prabath Jayasuriya, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience before sharing a heartfelt hug with his partner, Usman Khawaja.
