Steve Smith becomes fifth fastest batter to 10,000 Test runs

Australian batting great Steve Smith has added yet another feather to his illustrious cap, becoming the fifth-fastest batter in history to reach 10,000 Test runs. He achieved this milestone on the first day of Australia’s first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, joining an elite club of just 15 players who have reached this feat.

The 35-year-old joins Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh as the only Australians to have accomplished this feat. Having fallen just one run short during the recent Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Smith finally got over the line with a single off Prabath Jayasuriya. Walking in at 135/2 during Australia’s first innings, Smith wasted no time in getting off the mark. Facing his first delivery, he took a single to mid-on and raised his bat.

Notably, Smith reached this milestone in just 205 innings, making him the fifth-fastest batter in history to do so, behind Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ponting. Smith now sits fourth on the all-time list for his country, with only Ponting (13,378), Border (11,174), and Waugh (10,927) ahead of him. Among active players, only England’s Joe Root (12,972 runs) has a higher Test tally than Smith.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Captain Dhananjaya de Silva laments limited fixtures in Test cricket

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