Steve Smith, one of Australia’s premier batter, has recently joined the exclusive ranks of players who have scored 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
A landmark achievement for Steve Smith in test cricket
Steve became the fourth Australian to reach this milestone, following the footsteps of legends like Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. This historic accomplishment came on the opening day of Australia’s Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, where Smith’s single off the first ball he faced allowed him to reach the 10,000-run mark. The occasion was marked by a standing ovation from the Australian fans in the ground, acknowledging the significant achievement of their cricketing hero.
Smith, with his characteristic humility, raised his bat in all directions, giving credit to his teammates and supporters. He then shared an emotional embrace with fellow Australian batter, Usman Khawaja, This remarkable feat adds another achievement to Smith’s already illustrious cricketing resume. His ability to perform consistently over the years, especially in pivotal moments, has solidified his place as one of the finest Australian cricketers of all time.
Smith answers next 3 Australian cricketers to join the 10,000-run club?
After celebrating his milestone, Smith was later asked about other Australian players who could follow in his footsteps and achieve 10,000 Test runs. Taking a moment to think, Smith named Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Sam Konstas as potential candidates who could join him in the coveted 10,000-run club.
“I think there’s a few people that can certainly tick it off. Marnus (Labuschagne) is about halfway there. Travis (Head) potentially. (Sam) Konstas is 19, and he could play for a long, long time potentially,” Smith was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Labuschagne is seen as one of the front-runners. With 4,346 runs from just 55 Test matches, Labuschagne has shown incredible consistency, maintaining an average of 47.23. Having established himself as one of Australia’s top batters, Labuschagne’s technical proficiency and ability to play long innings suggest that he will likely be the next Australian to cross the 10,000-run threshold.
Meanwhile, Head has contributed 3,621 runs in 54 Test appearances at an average of 43.10. Despite his attacking approach, Head’s ability to adapt and score heavily in various conditions makes him a strong contender. If he continues to build on his form and remains consistent, Head could eventually make his mark on the 10,000-run list as well.
The youngest of the three, Konstas, at just 19 years old, has just begun his Test career. Making his debut during the Boxing Day Test against India, Konstas is still early in his cricketing journey. However, with his potential and the backing of senior players like Smith, Konstas could become a major force in Australian cricket in the coming years. His talent and the opportunity to play for many years make him a dark horse to join the ranks of 10,000 Test run-scorers.