Steve Smith Joins Elite 10,000-Run Club in Test Cricket

Australian batter Steve Smith achieved a monumental feat, January 29, during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith became the 15th player in history and the fourth Australian to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. This landmark cements his place among the all-time greats of the game. Smith’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by resilience, determination, and a unique batting style that has defied conventional norms.

The Road to 10,000 Runs

Smith’s journey to 10,000 Test runs was not without its dramatic moments. In the previous Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), he was dismissed agonizingly short of the milestone at 9,999 runs. However, in Galle, he finally crossed the threshold, becoming the third-fastest player to reach the landmark in terms of innings played. Smith achieved this feat in his 205th innings, placing him behind legends like Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kumar Sangakkara, who reached the milestone in 195 innings. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting achieved the feat in 196 innings.

List of Players who have scored 10,000 or more runs in Test cricket

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 15,921 runs
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13,378 runs
3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 13,289 runs
4. Rahul Dravid (India) – 13,288 runs
5. Alastair Cook (England) – 12,472 runs
6. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 12,400 runs
7. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 11,953 runs
8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 11,867 runs
9. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 11,814 runs
10. Allan Border (Australia) – 11,174 runs
11. Steve Waugh (Australia) – 10,927 runs
12. Sunil Gavaskar (India) – 10,122 runs
13. Younis Khan (Pakistan) – 10,099 runs
14. Joe Root (England) – 12,972 runs (active player)
15. Steve Smith (Australia) – 10,000+ runs (active player)

Key Notes:

• Steve Smith is the 15th player to join this elite group.
• Among active players, only Joe Root has more Test runs than Smith.
• Kumar Sangakkara holds the highest average (57.40) among players with 10,000+ Test runs.
• Smith is the sixth player to achieve this milestone while captaining his team.