'Never played on a wicket like that' - Steve Smith names reason behind missing 10,000-run Test landmark

Australia won the series 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a 3-1 margin. Ahead of the final Test at the Syndey Cricket Ground, Australia had a 2-1 lead already. This was after suffering a whopping 295-run loss in the series opener in Perth. They eventually ended up winning the Sydney Test by six wickets. 

After Australia's first innings, veteran batter Steve Smith was only five shy of getting to the 10,000-run mark in Tests. However, he was dismissed by a Prasidh Krishna delivery which zipped onto him quicker than expected. In a recent discussion, he shared on what he felt about batting on an unusually bowling-conducive SCG track.

"I got chainsawed, didn’t I? Pretty nasty delivery, actually - back of a length. I thought, 'oh, there's one to punch through point,' and it just took off. It wasn’t to be (reaching 10,000 Test runs), but that’s alright - we got the result we were after. Absolutely (the toughest SCG pitch I’ve played on)! By a mile. It was two-paced, up and down, seaming all over the place, and swinging. I’ve never played on a wicket like that at the SCG before. It was incredibly difficult to bat," shared Smith while in a conversation with Triple M Cricket post the win.

Smith also complimented the fight put up by India and ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, in particular. "I love the game, it’s been a fun series. India are an unbelievable team. There have been some great challenges - Bumrah in particular. It’s been great fun, and we were fortunate to get the result in the end," he added.

Also Read: Pat Cummins likely to miss Sri Lanka tour, wants to extend run as Australian skipper

We’ve all worked our backsides off to get to this series: Starc 

Australian left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc echoed the same sentiments as Smith in relation to the effort put in ahead and throughout the series.

"Five Test matches against India are always gruelling, especially when Tests four and five are so close together. We’ve all worked our backsides off to get to this series. We knew it was a big one on the calendar, and I think that’s just reward for all the hard work - from the support staff, the families, the extended squad, and everyone who’s been involved. It’s a fantastic result, and today caps it off," Starc told Fox Sports.

Seasoned off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, described the triumph against a "great side" as a "special moment".

"It has been a long time. There are only a few of us who’ve held this trophy before. It’s a special moment and something we’ve all wanted to achieve as a team, especially when you’re up against a great side," expressed Lyon to Fox Sports.

Notably, Smith will not have to wait long to make his entry into the esteemed 10,000-run club. The former skipper is surely bound to get that precious run during Australia's tour to Sri Lanka, which commences later this month.