Australian Cricket Star Steve Smith Reaches 10,000-Run Milestone in Tests

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has joined an exclusive group of batsmen to reach 10,000 Test runs, achieving the milestone on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has achieved a significant milestone, joining an elite group of batsmen to reach 10,000 Test runs. This feat was accomplished on the first morning of the opening Test against Sri Lanka, where Smith started the match on 9,999 runs. On his first ball, he pushed for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya in Galle, becoming the 15th player and fourth Australian to achieve this milestone. Smith acknowledged the applause from the crowd, raising his bat in celebration.

Smith shared his thoughts on achieving the milestone, expressing relief and satisfaction. “Fortunately hit that one in the gap so nice to get that one away,” he told Australia's 7Cricket. “Nice to tick that off,” he added, clearly pleased to have reached this significant landmark in his career.

Smith joins an illustrious group of Australian cricketers, including Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh, who have also achieved 10,000 Test runs. This exclusive list is led by India's Sachin Tendulkar, who accumulated 15,921 runs in his red-ball career. Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian captain, was the first to cross the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket, achieving this feat against Pakistan in 1987 at Ahmedabad.

As the stand-in skipper, Smith is leading Australia in the two-match series against Sri Lanka, following regular captain Pat Cummins' decision to opt out due to the birth of his second child. Smith boasts an impressive average of over 55 across 114 prior Tests, including 34 centuries since his debut in 2010. His remarkable career trajectory has seen him transform from a leg-spinner who batted at number eight to becoming the number one Test batter and captain of Australia.

Smith joins an elite list after tallying his 10,000th Test run, but his path to the top has never been straightforward 👏

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Steve Smith is widely regarded as a modern-day great, alongside other notable batsmen such as India's Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson of New Zealand, and England's Joe Root. His achievement of 10,000 Test runs is a testament to his exceptional skill, dedication, and perseverance throughout his career.