Steve Smith Becomes Australia's Third-Highest Test Run-Scorer, Surpasses Steve Waugh

Australian batter Steve Smith surpassed former captain Steve Waugh to become Australia's third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket during Day 1 of the opening Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban. Smith achieved the milestone by hitting South African spinner Keshav Maharaj for a six on the last delivery of the 19th over. He was later dismissed for 25 off 53 balls.

Smith's 10,945 runs have come in 224 innings across 126 Tests, whereas Waugh finished with 10,927 runs from 260 innings in 168 Tests. By surpassing Waugh's total in 42 fewer Tests, Smith has further cemented his legacy in the longest format. Ricky Ponting leads Australia's all-time list with 13,378 runs from 168 Tests, followed by Allan Border with 11,174 runs from 156 matches.

Smith now stands 229 runs short of overtaking Border for second place on Australia's Test run-scoring list. With two Tests remaining in the series against South Africa, he has an opportunity to narrow the gap further during the tour.