Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test: Steve Smith Joins Elite Club with 10K Test Runs

The highly anticipated Australia tour of Sri Lanka kicked off with the first-ever Warne-Murali Trophy, and Day 1 of the 1st Test saw Australia bat first. The Galle surface, typically spin-friendly, surprised many as the Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to find consistent breakthroughs. Despite the expectations of spin dominance, the conditions didn’t favor the bowlers as much as anticipated, allowing the Australian batters to settle in.

The defining moment of the day, however, was when Australian captain Steve Smith reached a monumental milestone, becoming just the fourth Australian to score 10,000 Test runs. Having completed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 9999 runs, Smith’s achievement was merely a matter of time. His 10,000th Test run was a testament to his consistent brilliance, and this moment will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the high points of his illustrious career.

Smith’s Journey to 10K Runs

Smith’s journey to this milestone is remarkable. Initially endorsed as the next Shane Warne due to his leg-spin abilities, Smith began his cricketing career as a bowler who could bat. However, over the years, he has transformed into one of the most unorthodox yet consistent batters the game has ever seen. With 35 Test centuries to his name, Smith has proven his prowess across various conditions, including in India, Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand.

Steve Smith joins an elite group of Australian cricketers Allan Border, Mark Waugh, and Ricky Ponting who have also reached the 10,000-run milestone. This puts him just one century away from surpassing Joe Root, who currently has 36 centuries in Tests.

Fans in Sri Lanka from Australia were seen displaying billboards that read, "We have come here to see Steve Smith score that 1 run," showcasing the immense admiration and expectation surrounding him.

A Leader’s Display

 But Smith didn’t stop at just 10,000 runs he continued his sublime form, scoring his 35th Test century, further cementing his place in history. This century not only propelled him into the elite company of 10,000-run scorers but also gave Australia firm control of the match. As a captain, Smith played with unwavering patience and led by example, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the game’s greats.

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