Steve Smith Surpasses Steve Waugh to Claim Third Spot in Australia's All-Time Test Run Charts During the opening Test against South Africa in Durban, Steve Smith scored 25 runs to overtake Steve Waugh as Australia's third-highest run-scorer in Test history. A significant milestone in Australian cricket history unfolded on the opening day of the Durban Test against South Africa. Veteran batter Steve Smith etched his name deeper into the record books despite producing a modest knock of 25. Walking back to the pavilion shortly after the lunch interval, Smith had already accumulated enough runs to leapfrog former national captain Steve Waugh on the list of Australia's all-time leading Test run-scorers, ascending to the prestigious third position. Smith Climbs to Third in Australia's Historic Run Tally Entering the match within touching distance of the milestone, Smith's knock carried his career aggregate to 10945 runs across 126 Test matches. In doing so, he eclipsed the tally of Steve Waugh, who finished his illustrious 168-Test career with 10927 runs at an average of 51.06. Reaching the mark in significantly fewer appearances highlights Smith's extraordinary consistency over the years. With this feat, only two Australian batting icons now sit ahead of him on the all-time list: Ricky Ponting and Allan Border. Australia's Top Five Leading Test Run-Scorers The elite leaderboard for Australia in the longest format is headed by Ricky Ponting, who amassed an immense aggregate of 13378 runs. Legendary skipper Allan Border occupies the second spot with 11174 runs. Steve Smith now firmly holds third place with 10945 runs, followed by Steve Waugh at fourth with 10927 runs. Former opening batter David Warner rounds out the top five with a career total of 8786 runs. Rescuing the Innings After Early Morning Stumbles Australia's innings began under testing circumstances after captain Pat Cummins opted to bat first upon winning the toss in Durban on October 9. The visiting side suffered immediate setbacks, slumping to 24 for 2 in the morning session. Opening batter Travis Head departed after managing just 9 runs, while his partner Nic Maddinson endured a painstaking 33-ball stay without troubling the scorers before being dismissed for a duck. Tasked with steadying the ship, Smith joined Marnus Labuschagne to construct a resilient 60-run partnership for the third wicket. The stand was broken on the final delivery before lunch when Labuschagne fell for 37, with Smith following shortly after the resumption for 25. Return to South African Soil Following 2018 Controversy This three-match series carries immense narrative weight, marking Australia's first Test tour of South Africa in an extended period. The team last travelled to the nation for a Test campaign back in 2018, an eventful assignment that was overshadowed by the sandpaper ball-tampering controversy and drew widespread global condemnation. With both teams resuming Test rivalries in South Africa for the first time since that turbulent period, the contest in Durban has attracted widespread attention across the international cricket landscape. What this means for you Steve Smith's landmark achievement cements his standing as one of the greatest red-ball batters in modern cricket history. • For Cricket Followers: The milestone brings Smith closer to Allan Border's long-standing tally of 11174 runs. Enthusiasts will closely track his progress across the remaining matches of the series. • Impact on Australian Setup: Despite early top-order stumbles, Smith's resilience continues to anchor Australia's batting lineup. His form remains crucial on challenging South African tracks. • Historical Significance: Surpassing Steve Waugh in far fewer Tests underscores Smith's prolific scoring rate. It redefines the modern batting hierarchy in international Test cricket. • Tour Context: In Australia's first Test campaign in South Africa since the 2018 controversy, positive individual milestones help bolster squad confidence early in the three-match series. Why this happened This milestone came about due to Steve Smith's career longevity and his steady occupation of the crease under testing opening-day conditions in Durban. • Direct Trigger: Smith required only a handful of runs to overtake Steve Waugh, which he secured during his gritty knock of 25 in the first session. • Match Situation: Losing two top-order wickets for 24 runs forced Smith into an early rebuilding role alongside Marnus Labuschagne, giving him the necessary time at the crease. • Historical Backdrop: Playing their first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering incident, senior Australian players entered the tour determined to anchor the batting lineup. Questions & Answers 1. What record did Steve Smith achieve during the Durban Test? Steve Smith scored 25 runs to surpass Steve Waugh, becoming Australia's third-highest run-scorer in Test history. 2. Who holds the record for the most Test runs for Australia? Ricky Ponting holds the record with 13378 runs, followed by Allan Border in second place with 11174 runs. 3. How many matches did Steve Smith take to surpass Steve Waugh's tally? Smith reached 10945 runs in his 126th Test, overtaking Waugh's aggregate of 10927 runs scored across 168 matches. 4. How did Australia start their innings on the opening day in Durban? After electing to bat, Australia struggled early, slipping to 24 for 2 following the dismissals of Travis Head and Nic Maddinson. 5. When did Australia last play a Test series in South Africa? Australia last toured South Africa for a Test series in 2018, a contest heavily marked by the sandpaper ball-tampering incident. https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/durban-test-men-naya-kirtimana-steve-smith-bane-australia-ke-tisare-sabase-saphala-test-ballebaja-45405 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.