Steve Smith broke yet another record and went past Steve Waugh to become Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Smith was only eight runs away from overtaking the Australian legend and he achieved the milestone in the first innings of the opening Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, on Friday (October 9).
The former Australian captain scored 25 off 53 balls after coming out to bat in the 11th over. Smith started his career as a leg-spinner and made it to the national team on the back of his performance as a bowler.
Three years after his debut, Smith scored his maiden Test century in the 2013 Ashes at The Oval. He scored his next Test century in the home Ashes series at the WACA later in 2013. There was no stopping him after that and Smith piled up 769 runs in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at an average of 128.16.
Smith hasn’t bowled an over in Test cricket since June 2023. He has only taken 19 wickets in 125 Tests. His tally of 10945 runs has 37 centuries and 45 half-centuries.
finished his ODI career with 5800 runs and 28 wickets in 170 matches. He retired from the 50-over format after the 2025 Champions Trophy. He has 1094 runs and 17 wickets in 67 T20Is. He is active in the shortest format but hasn’t played a T20I since February 2024.
Smith departs for 25
Smith negated the SA pace attack and looked set to play a big knock. His innings came to an end after being caught by Wiaan Mulder off Marco Jansen in the 27th over. He only scored 25 off 53 balls.
Australia were off to a forgettable start as they lost two early wickets. Travis Head scored 9 off 19 balls. Nic Maddinson, who made his return to first-class cricket after 18 months, departed for a 33-ball duck. Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins have rescued Australia and taken the score beyond the 150-run mark.