Australian batting icon Steve Smith has cemented his place in cricketing history, becoming the joint-second fastest player to reach 10,000 Test runs. He achieved this milestone in just 115 matches, sharing the record with Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, while Brian Lara remains the fastest, reaching the mark in 111 matches.
Smith’s landmark moment occurred on Day 1 of the opening Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle. Coming in at No. 4, Smith required just one run to cross the milestone, which he achieved with a flick past mid-on off his very first delivery.
This accomplishment makes Smith the 15th player overall and the fourth Australian to surpass 10,000 Test runs. Among Australians to reach this milestone, Smith holds the second-highest career average (55.87), further highlighting his remarkable consistency.
Other Australian legends to achieve this feat—Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh—did so while serving as captains. Although Smith isn’t currently captain, his performance continues to lead by example.
Additionally, Smith ranks as the fifth-fastest player in terms of innings, reaching 10,000 Test runs in 205 innings. The record for the fastest, achieved in 195 innings, is jointly held by Lara, Sangakkara, and Sachin Tendulkar.
