Only three Australians have entered the illustrious 10,000-run club in Test cricket. Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting have held the fort for years, but their exclusive company is set to welcome a fourth member: Steve Smith.
The milestone is likely to be achieved during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, where the 34-year-old will aim to etch his name in cricketing folklore.
Smith came agonizingly close to the landmark during the New Year Test in Sydney against India but fell heartbreakingly short, dismissed for just four in the second innings. Stranded on 9,999 runs, he’s endured a month-long wait to finally bring up the magic figure—an itch he’ll hope to scratch in Galle.The Australian admitted the milestone was weighing heavily on his mind in Sydney, potentially contributing to his lapse.
I tried to put it out of my mind, to be honest. Probably thought about it too much in Sydney. Now, I’m just trying to forget it and focus on the job at hand.
Smith’s career has been nothing short of a classic Test match – packed with twists, turns, and resilience. Initially selected for Australia as a spin-bowling all-rounder, his leg-spin failed to impress, and his batting, characterized by quirky mannerisms, didn’t endear him to the purists. Yet, like a gritty batsman weathering a tough spell, Smith found his rhythm. His transformation into a run machine made him the bedrock of Australia’s batting lineup, compiling mountains of runs in all conditions and across the globe.
Recognising his cricketing nous, Australia handed him the vice-captaincy under Michael Clarke. By 2015, Smith took over the reins as captain and quickly became the architect of Australia’s return to the pinnacle of Test cricket, guiding them to the No. 1 ranking. But just as he seemed set for a Bradmanesque legacy, disaster struck in 2018.
The Cape Town ball-tampering saga, infamously dubbed “Sandpaper Gate,” sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Investigations revealed that Cameron Bancroft had used sandpaper to roughen the ball, with Smith aware of the plot. The fallout was swift and brutal: Smith was sent home from South Africa, stripped of the captaincy and handed a one-year ban.
It was a steep fall from grace. Public opinion was merciless and Smith’s reputation was in tatters. Yet, like a batsman digging in after an early collapse, Smith rebuilt his standing. With time, he regained the trust of the cricketing public and Cricket Australia reinstated him as captain. When Pat Cummins was ruled out of a game due to COVID-19, Smith returned as leader.
Now, with Cummins unavailable for the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons, Smith is back in charge. In his typically unflappable manner, he’s taken the reins with aplomb, winning over teammates and fans alike.
Currently ranked ninth in the ICC Test batting rankings, Smith remains the linchpin of Australia’s batting order. His recent contributions were pivotal in securing a series win over India, a victory that guaranteed Australia’s spot in the World Test Championship final.
In Sri Lanka, Smith’s average of 49 underscores his ability to counter the island’s spin-friendly conditions. As the visitors brace for Sri Lanka’s turning tracks, Smith’s form will be key to nullifying the spin threat and anchoring Australia’s innings.
Steve Smith’s career has been a tale of grit, redemption, and unrelenting determination. With 10,000 Test runs just a single away, he stands on the cusp of yet another remarkable achievement in a career that has been anything but ordinary. For Smith, the road hasn’t always been smooth, but he’s proven time and again that he’s not one to get clean bowled by adversity.
