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Steve Smith Overtakes Steve Waugh: The Australian team is currently touring South Africa, where the first match of a three-game Test series is being played in Durban, starting October 9. The 'Kangaroo' team has arrived to play a Test series in South Africa after a long hiatus. Their previous tour in 2018 had grabbed headlines due to the controversial 'sandpaper scandal.' This is precisely why all eyes are fixed on this high-voltage tour.
On the opening day of the Durban Test, Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. Although the team got off to a disastrous start, former captain Steve Smith anchored the middle order; he not only steadied the innings but also achieved a significant historic milestone in Test cricket.
Steve Smith Rescues Australia After Early Collapses in Durban Test
Australia's innings got off to a shaky start after they won the toss and chose to bat. The team lost two key wickets with the score at just 24. Stepping onto the field during this crisis, Steve Smith displayed immense composure and astute judgment. He stood firm against the South African bowlers leading up to lunch, holding one end up.
Shortly after play resumed following the lunch break, Smith was dismissed for an individual score of 25; however, during this brief yet composed innings, he etched his name into the record books by achieving a major Test cricket milestone.
Steve Smith Overtakes Steve Waugh as Australia's 3rd Highest Run-Scorer in Tests
During his innings of 25 runs, Steve Smith surpassed the record for Test runs held by legendary former Australian captain Steve Waugh.
He has now moved up to third place on the list of highest run-scorers for Australia in Test cricket.- Steve Smith's record: 10,945 runs in 126 Test matches.
- Steve Waugh's record: 10,927 runs at an average of 51.06 in 168 Test matches.
Now, only two legends, Ricky Ponting and Allan Border, remain ahead of Steve Smith on this list.
Most Runs for Australia in Test Cricket: Top 5 Highest Run-Scorers
The statistics for the highest run-scorers in Australian Test history are as follows:
| Player Name | Total Test Runs |
|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting | 13,378 runs |
| Allan Border | 11,174 runs |
| Steve Smith | 10,945 runs |
| Steve Waugh | 10,927 runs |
| David Warner | 8,786 runs |
In this three-match Test series against South Africa, Steve Smith will have an excellent opportunity to get closer to and potentially break Allan Border's record of 11,174 runs.
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