Ashes 2023: Australia's Steve Smith becomes second-fastest ever to score 9000 Test runs

Steven Smith, the prominent Australian batsman, achieved another significant milestone by becoming the second-fastest player in the history of Test cricket to reach 9000 runs. The 34-year-old accomplished this feat in 174 innings, just two innings behind Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lankan captain, who achieved the same milestone in 172 innings. Smith, scoring his 32nd century in Test matches, equaled Steve Waugh’s record. He scored 110 runs off 184 balls, including 15 boundaries, contributing to Australia’s total of 416 runs in the first innings.

At the age of 34, Steven Smith achieved his eighth century in Test matches played in England, maintaining an impressive average of 60.27 in 19 games thus far. He has been displaying consistent good form recently and played a crucial role in Australia’s victory against India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final held at The Oval earlier this month.

In the upcoming match, Smith is set to reach another significant milestone as he gears up to play his 100th Test. The momentous occasion will take place when Australia faces England in the third Ashes Test at Headingly, starting from July 6.

Fastest to 9,000 Test runs

Kumar Sangakkara: 172 innings
Steve Smith: 174 innings
Rahul Dravid: 176 innings
Brian Lara: 177 innings
Ricky Ponting: 177 innings

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
S Tendulkar (IND)	200	329	15921	53.78	248*	68	51
R Ponting (AUS)	168	287	13378	51.85	257	62	41
J Kallis (SA)	166	280	13289	55.37	224	58	45
R Dravid (IND)	164	286	13288	52.31	270	63	36
A Cook (ENG)	161	291	12472	45.35	294	57	33
K Sangakkara (SL)	134	233	12400	57.40	319	52	38
B Lara (WI)	131	232	11953	52.88	400*	48	34
S Chanderpaul (WI)	164	280	11867	51.37	203*	66	30