Home SPORTS Steve Smith on Cusp of 10,000 Test Runs as Australia Face Sri Lanka

Steve Smith on Cusp of 10,000 Test Runs as Australia Face Sri Lanka

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Australia, led by Steve Smith, face Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, with Smith on the verge of reaching 10,000 Test runs and Australia looking to assert their dominance as the number-one Test team.



Australian batting great Steve Smith is on the cusp of achieving a remarkable milestone, needing just one run to reach 10,000 Test runs as his team takes on Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith, who will captain the team in the absence of Pat Cummins, has accumulated 9,999 runs in 114 matches at an impressive average of over 55. He is poised to become the 15th batsman in the world and the fourth Australian, after Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh, to achieve this feat.


Despite the significance of the milestone, Smith insists that it will not be on his mind when he steps onto the picturesque Galle stadium. “Honestly, I'm trying not to think about it too much,” he told reporters on Tuesday. Smith admitted that the landmark had weighed on his mind during Australia's fifth and final Test against India in Sydney, where his scores of 33 and four left him agonizingly short. ”Now it's just about focusing on the job at hand,” he said, emphasizing his determination to prioritize the team's goals over personal milestones.


The Australian team will face a challenging task in Galle, where Sri Lanka have enjoyed significant success, winning 27 of the 46 Tests played at the venue. The pitch is expected to favor spinners, and Travis Head will open the batting in place of 19-year-old Sam Konstas. “Travis will bat at the top, but we'll finalize the XI after another look at the pitch tomorrow morning,” Smith said, indicating that the team's lineup is still subject to change. “The wicket has changed a bit since yesterday, so we'll weigh our options,” he added, highlighting the importance of adapting to the conditions.


Australia, already assured of a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's in June, will aim to assert their dominance as the number-one Test team. Australian captain Steve Smith was cautious when asked about the potential Test debut of wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, 29. ”He has solid defence, plays spin well, and scores all around the wicket,” Smith said. “If he gets his chance, I'm confident he'll grab it with both hands.”


Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will be seeking to reclaim the Warne-Murali trophy, named after the late Australian cricket legend Shane Warne and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. Sri Lanka had previously dominated Australia in 2016, winning the series 3-0, but the last series in 2022 ended in a 1-1 draw, with both matches played in Galle. De Silva expressed his team's determination to repeat their 2016 success, saying, ”The last time we won the Warne-Murali Trophy was in 2016, which was also my debut series. A lot of players from that campaign are still in the mix and we believe we have what it takes to repeat history.”



De Silva also highlighted the incentive of finishing third in the WTC standings if they win the series 2-0. ”That would be a tremendous achievement,” he said. However, the hosts are dealing with injury concerns, including opener Pathum Nissanka's groin injury and de Silva's own side strain. De Silva expressed hope that Nissanka would recover in time for the second Test, saying, “Pathum is a key player and we're hopeful he'll be fit for the second Test. Whoever steps in will have a golden opportunity to make a mark.”


Oshada Fernando, a seasoned campaigner with a strong record in domestic cricket, is the frontrunner to replace Nissanka.




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