Steve Smith becomes 4th Australian to complete 10,500 Test runs
What's the story
Australian batting superstar Steve Smith has added another feather to his cap by completing 10,500 runs in Test cricket. The stand-in Aussie skipper reached the major milestone on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test against England at The Gabba, Brisbane. Smith entered the game, needing just four runs to attain the milestone. He went on to play a 61-run knock.
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4th Australian batter with 10,500-plus runs
Smith became the fourth Australian batter with 10,500-plus runs in Tests. He joins the likes of Ricky Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174), and Steve Waugh (10,927). Overall, Smith is the 13th batter in Tests to unlock the milestone.
Career overview
Smith's impressive Test career statistics
Having played 121 matches, Smith has completed 10,557 Test runs. His record includes an impressive 36 centuries and 44 half-centuries. Smith's average of 55.85 is only second to Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara's 57.40 among batters with 10,000-plus Test runs. England's Joe Root (13,689) is the only active batter with more Test runs than Smith.
Stats
Dissecting his Test stats
According to ESPNcricinfo, Smith has scored 5,095 runs at home with an average of 59.24. He also has 4954 runs in away Tests (opposition's home ground) at a healthy average of 54.43. Smith's remaining 508 runs have come in neutral games at 42.33. In the Ashes, he has scored 3,497 runs at 55.50. This includes 14 fifties and 12 tons.
Knock
A fine hand from Smith
Responding to England's first innings score of 334/10, the Aussies were well placed at 146/2 when Smith arrived. He took the innings forward with a 50-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (65). He further added 95 runs with Cameron Green (45). The stand-in Aussie skipper, who batted with great intent, eventually fell to Brydon Carse. His 85-ball 61 had five fours and two sixes.
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Seventh 50-plus score in Day-Night Tests
This was Smith's seventh 50-plus score in Day-Night Tests as he also owns a hundred. He has raced to 876 runs across 14 games in this regard at 38.08. Only Labuschagne (1,023) has more runs in pink-ball Tests.