Steve Smith makes scripting history, breaks Joe Root’s Test record in first Test against South Africa

ByTech Word News

Australia’s Steve Smith celebrates his catch (file photo) Steve Smith added another milestone to his Test career on Sunday when he overtook England’s Joe Root to become the most successful fielder in Test cricket history during the first Test between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead in Durban.Smith reached the milestone on Day 3 when he caught David Bedingham off the bowling of Pat Cummins. Batting on 49, Bedingham aimed a hard, backward stroke towards first slip. Smith dived to his left to complete the catch, dismissing the South African batsman just one run shy of his half-century.The catch took Smith’s score to 221 in Test cricket, eclipsing Root’s previous record of 220. Rahul Dravid is third on the all-time list with 210 catches, followed by Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka with 205 and Jacques Kallis of South Africa with 200 catches.Most catches as a fielder in Tests

  • 221* – Steven Smith
  • 220 – Joe Root
  • 210 – Rahul Dravid
  • 205 – M Jayawardene
  • 200 – Jacques Kallis
  • 196 – Ricky Ponting

Smith’s fielding performance came after a modest outing with the bat in Australia’s first innings. The right-hander scored 25 off 53 balls, including two sixes, after coming in after an early setback for the visitors. He added 60 runs with Marnus Labuschagne to help settle the innings after Australia lost their first wickets.However, Marco Jansen dismissed Smith shortly after lunch on the first day. Bowling around the wicket, Jansen delivered a back length ball which straightened after being pitched. Smith expected it to fly in but was leveled and kicked the ball towards the gully where Wiaan Mulder made a low catch.Smith’s dismissal caused trouble for Australia, but Matt Renshaw’s 190 helped the visitors recover from 124/6 for 390.South Africa were 162/5 when this story was written.