The two-match Test series between Australia and Bangladesh is set to begin on August 13, 2026. With the Australian team having already announced its playing XI featuring key star players, high expectations surround the individual milestones that could be breached during this contest. All eyes will particularly be on star Australian batter Steve Smith as he approaches major historic landmarks in red-ball and overall international cricket.
Chasing 11,000 Test Runs and Passing Steve Waugh
Steve Smith has a prime opportunity to hit the prestigious 11,000-run milestone in Test cricket during the series against Bangladesh. To cross this barrier, the right-handed batter requires just 237 runs. Looking at his current career statistics, Smith has accumulated 10,763 runs across 123 Test matches and 220 innings, maintaining a stellar batting average of 56.05. His Test record also includes 37 centuries and 44 half-centuries.
Should Smith manage to score 165 runs across both innings of the opening Test match, he will surpass former Australian captain Steve Waugh on the list of highest Test run-scorers for Australia. Steve Waugh amassed 10,927 runs in 168 Test matches and 260 innings at an average of 51.06. Overtaking Waugh would elevate Smith to the position of Australia's third-highest run-scorer in Test history.
Top Australian Test Run-Scorers
Former captain Ricky Ponting tops the list of all-time leading Test run-scorers for Australia, having scored over 13,000 runs in 168 Test matches and 287 innings. Allan Border holds the second spot with more than 11,000 Test runs to his credit. Depending on his form this year, Smith could also set his sights on eventually challenging Border for the second spot on Australia's all-time Test list.
The current standings for Australia's top Test run-scorers are
- Ricky Ponting: 13,378 runs
- Allan Border: 11,174 runs
- Steve Waugh: 10,927 runs
- Steve Smith: 10,763 runs
Closing in on Allan Border in All-Format International Cricket
Beyond Test cricket, Steve Smith is also poised to move up the ranks in all-format international cricket for Australia. Smith needs only 42 runs to overtake Allan Border's total international run tally. He could achieve this milestone as early as the first Test match against Bangladesh.
In overall international cricket across formats, Ricky Ponting leads the list for Australia, followed by David Warner in second place. Steve Waugh ranks third, Allan Border sits in fourth, and Steve Smith currently holds the fifth spot.
The leading international run-scorers for Australia across formats are
- Ricky Ponting: 27,483 runs
- David Warner: 18,995 runs
- Steve Waugh: 18,496 runs
- Allan Border: 17,698 runs
- Steve Smith: 17,656 runs
