Steve Smith reaches 10,000 Test runs milestone, fourth Australian to do so

ND Prashant
29 Jan 2025
20:08

Seasoned batter Steve Smith on Wednesday became the fourth Australian batter and 15th overall in the history of cricket to make 10,000 runs in Test cricket, reaching the milestone during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.

Smith, who was just one run short of the milestone, completed his 10,000th Test run with his first scoring shot, flicking left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a single to mid-on in his 205th innings. At the end of Day 1 at Galle, Smith was batting on 104 with Usman Khawaja keeping him company with 147 not out, as Australia reached 330/2 to make a strong start in the match. Khawaja and Smith have shared an unfinished partnership of 195 runs for the third wicket.

On Wednesday, the 35-year-old Smith joined Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting as Australians to get to 10,000 Test runs. Interestingly, all three were captains of the Test team when they made their 10,000th run.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith
Smith told official broadcaster Channel Seven at the stroke of lunch.
Nice to tick that off.

The relief in his voice was palpable as he had come 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, the Australian admitted just before the start of the Sri Lanka tour that the milestone was weighing heavily on his mind.

Smith added
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, who was once banned for his role in the Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal‌, became the fifth fastest batter by innings to reach 10,000 Test runs.

In terms of matches, only Brian Lara (111) has gotten to the milestone in fewer Tests than Smith's 115. Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara (all took 195 Test innings) and Ricky Ponting (196) are the only batters to have reached it in fewer innings. Among Aussies, only former captain Ricky Ponting has crossed the milestone quicker -- in only 196 innings.

Smith has compiled his runs at an average of over 55, with Kumar Sangakkara the only batter beyond the 10,000 figure with a better return (57.40). Among active players, only Joe Root's tally of 12,972 Test runs is higher than Smith's.

Allan Border, the first Australian player to reach the 10,000 runs milestone, praised his determination and unique style.

Steve Smith @ Cricket Australia
Steve Smith @ Cricket Australia
Border was quoted in Sydney Morning Herald
He’s not the bloke where you say to your son ‘Here’s a technique you’ve got to follow,’ but it’s worked for him, and that’s a good sign that you know your game. He’s done it so well. There are prettier players, but not many who’ve got that record.
Border went on to compare Smith to the greats of the game
I’m a huge fan of (Sachin) Tendulkar and (Brian) Lara – they were phenomenally good cricketers, but Steve is definitely up with that lot, for sure.

On Wednesday, Smith reached another milestone, becoming the third fastest batter to score 35 centuries in Test cricket. Coming in to bat at No.4, Smith displayed his trademark precision and composure, forging a strong partnership with Usman Khawaja. His hundred, achieved off 179 balls (10x4, 1x6) in his 205th innings, places him third on the list of fastest to 35 Test centuries, trailing only Ricky Ponting (195) and Sachin Tendulkar (200) in terms of innings taken to reach the milestone.

Smith is now only the seventh batter to record 35 Test centuries, joining an elite list that includes Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis (45), Ponting (41), Kumar Sangakkara (38), Rahul Dravid (36), and Joe Root (36).

His achievement is further amplified by his captaincy record, as this was his 16th Test hundred as Australia captain, surpassing Allan Border and Steve Waugh, both of whom had 15. Among Australian captains, only Ponting (19) has scored more centuries, while globally, Smith ranks fourth behind Graeme Smith (25), Virat Kohli (20), and Ponting.

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