Steve Smith joins Ponting, Border in elite Aus club, fifth-fastest to 11K Test runs
Australian cricketer Steve Smith has become the fifth-fastest player to reach 11,000 Test runs, joining legends like Ricky Ponting and Allan Border. Despite this individual milestone, Australia struggled in their match against South Africa, facing a follow-on after being bowled out for 99.
Why it matters
This marks a significant statistical achievement in international cricket history while highlighting a major performance slump for the Australian team.
Australian batting superstar Steve Smith reached another career milestone on Wednesday, becoming the third Australian and the 12th player overall to score 11,000 runs in Test cricket during the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.The 37-year-old achieved the landmark during Australia's first innings at St George's Park, scoring 28 off 88 balls, including two fours, before being bowled by Wiaan Mulder.Smith reached 11,000 Test runs in 226 innings, making him the fifth-fastest batter to the milestone. Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara holds the record, having taken just 208 innings, followed by West Indies great Brian Lara (213).Smith joins Ponting, Border in Australian eliteSmith joined former Australia captains Ricky Ponting and Allan Border in the country's exclusive 11,000-run club. Ponting tops the Australian list with 13,378 Test runs, while Border finished his career with 11,174.Among batters to reach the milestone, Ponting needed 222 innings, while India's Sachin Tendulkar took 223.
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