SL vs AUS, 1st Test: Steve Smith reaches 10,000 runs in Tests; WATCH milestone moment

Australia talismanic batter Steve Smith scripted a historic feat on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, January 29. 

Steve Smith became the fourth Australian batter after Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting and the overall 15th batter to complete 10,000 runs in the history of Test Cricket. The former Australia captain entered the Test series opener against Sri Lanka with 9999 runs under his belt. Smith fell short of achieving the landmark of 10,000 runs by just one run after he was dismissed for just four runs in Australia’s 162-run chase against India in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. 

The legendary Australian batter has finally managed to complete the historic feat in the first session of Day 1. Steve Smith walked out to bat after Marcus Labuschagne’s dismissal at 135/2. In the 30 over of Australia's first innings batting, Smith took a run after hitting the ball towards short mid-wicket off Prabath Jayasuriya and completed 10,000 runs of his illustrious Test career. As soon as he reached the landmark, the Australia dressing room stood up to applaud Steve Smith as the former captain raised his willow to all corners of the ground. The video of Steve Smith completing his milestone went viral on social media. 

Watch the video here 

Steve Smith made his Test debut for Australia in the match against Pakistan in 2010 and went on to establish himself as one of the batting mainstays for Australia in the longest format of the game. He started off his career as a leg spinner who could bat a bit, but soon transformed into one of the finest Test batters of his generation, earning comparisons with some of the all-time greats of the game. 

After completing the 10,000 Test runs, Steve Smith has further solidified his status as one of the greatest batters in the format the cricketing world has ever seen. The 35-year-old became the third fastest batter by innings after Brian Lara (195), Sachin Tendulkar (195), Kumar Sangakkara (195), and Ricky Ponting (196) to complete 10,000 runs in the history of Test cricket. 

Apart from achieving the milestone of 10,000 Test runs, Steve Smith holds several other records, including having the second-highest batting average among Australian with over 5000 Test runs, only behind legendary Don Bradman. As a captain, Steve Smith has amassed 3886 runs, including 15 centuries and 14 fifties, at an average of 67 in 68 Test innings. Smith has registered 34 Test centuries, second most by an Australian batter after former captain Ricky Ponting in the longest format of the game. 

Talking about the match, Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka, Opener Travis Head gave the visitors’ a brilliant start to their innings, slamming a quickfire knock of 57 off 40 balls before he was dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya at 92/1. Thereafter, Usman Khawaja was joined by Marnus Labuschagne at the crease  to carry on Australia innings. 

The duo were looking to form a partnership until Labuschange was dismissed for 20 by Jeffrey Vandersay at 135/2. Then, Steve Smith joined Khawaja at the crease. At the end of the first session, Australia posted a total of 145/2 with Khawaja and Smith batting on 65 and 2, respectively.