As the fifth-fastest batter in history to reach 10,000 Test runs, Australian batting legend Steve Smith has put another feather to his already impressive cap. He joined an exclusive group of only 15 players who have accomplished this achievement on the opening day of Australia’s first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
The 35-year-old becomes the only Australian to achieve this accomplishment, joining Steve Waugh, Allan Border, and Ricky Ponting.
Smith finally crossed the finish line with a single off Prabath Jayasuriya after falling just one run short during the most recent Test match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Steve Smith got off to a quick start in Australia’s opening innings, walking in at 135/2. He lifted his bat and took a single to mid-on, facing his first pitch.
Notably, Smith became the fifth-fastest batsman in history to reach this milestone in just 205 innings, trailing only Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Kumar Sangakkara. Smith is currently fourth on his nation’s all-time record, behind only Ponting (13,378), Border (11,174), and Waugh (10,927). The only active player with a bigger Test total than Smith is Joe Root of England (12,972 runs).
Fastest to 10,000 Test Runs (by innings):
195 – Brian Lara
195 – Sachin Tendulkar
195 – Kumar Sangakkara
196 – Ricky Ponting
205 – Steve Smith
206 – Rahul Dravid
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