Australian batter Steve Smith etched his name in cricket history by surpassing 10,000 Test runs during the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. With this milestone, he became only the 15th player in history and the fourth Australian to achieve this feat.
Smith Reaches Milestone in Style
Leading the team in Pat Cummins’ absence, the 35-year-old reached the landmark with a single off his first ball after arriving at the crease. Starting the match at 9,999 runs, Smith came in following the dismissals of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. A simple nudge to mid-on confirmed his entry into the exclusive club.
“Fortunately hit that one in the gap, so nice to get that one away,” Smith told 7Cricket after reaching the milestone. He remained unbeaten on 64 at tea, reinforcing his reputation as one of the modern greats.
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Fourth Australian to Cross 10,000 Runs
Smith now joins Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh as the only Australians to surpass 10,000 Test runs. Ponting remains Australia’s highest Test run-scorer with 13,378 runs, followed by Border (11,174) and Waugh (10,927).
Globally, India’s Sachin Tendulkar leads the all-time charts with 15,921 Test runs, followed by Ponting (13,378) and Jacques Kallis (13,289).
Next Target: Younis Khan’s Record
With 10,000 runs now behind him, Smith’s next target is Younis Khan, Pakistan’s highest Test run-scorer. Younis sits at 14th place on the all-time list with 10,099 runs. Given Smith’s consistency, it’s only a matter of time before he overtakes the legendary Pakistani batter.
A Legacy of Greatness
Smith’s latest achievement cements his status as one of Australia’s greatest cricketers. Since making his Test debut in 2010, he has been the backbone of Australia’s batting lineup, known for his unorthodox technique and remarkable consistency.
As he continues to rewrite record books, cricket fans eagerly watch how high he can climb on the list of all-time greats. With many years still left in his career, Steve Smith’s journey is far from over.
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