In a remarkable milestone, Australian cricket star Steve Smith has joined the prestigious 10,000-run club in Test cricket, becoming the fourth Australian and 15th player overall to achieve this feat. Smith reached the landmark during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, a moment that added another chapter to his illustrious career.
Smith, who was at 9999 runs after the Sydney Test against India, reached the 10,000-run mark on the very first ball he faced in the Galle Test. His achievement places him among cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Ricky Ponting, all of whom have crossed this significant threshold in their careers.
Notably, Smith is the third-fastest to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket, achieving the milestone in 205 innings. He follows the greats Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kumar Sangakkara, who all reached the landmark in just 195 innings. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting took 196 innings to reach the 10,000-run mark, which places Smith just behind him in terms of innings played to reach this remarkable achievement.
This accomplishment further cements Smith's legacy as one of the modern greats of the game. His consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stages have been key factors in him achieving this feat at such a relatively young age in the Test format.
