In the course of just two days, Steven Smith found himself on the brink of a monumental achievement, narrowly missing the illustrious milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket. On one occasion, he fell five runs short, and the following day, during the highly anticipated Jane McGrath Day of the Pink Test in Sydney, he faced another unfortunate dismissal. With nearly 40,000 spectators present, Smith attempted to advance down the pitch against a delivery from Prasidh Krishna that climbed sharply from a short length. In an effort to redirect the ball, he inadvertently edged it into the gully. This momentous occasion marked him as just the second player in cricketing history to be dismissed on exactly 9,999 runs, joining the ranks of Mahela Jayawardene in this unique statistic.
The disappointment of missing this milestone will only extend the wait until Smith's next opportunity, projected to occur during the imminent first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle later this month. When he finally crosses this barrier, he will become the 15th cricketer to attain membership in the distinguished 10,000-run club—a feat celebrated across the sport.
Often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen since the legendary Don Bradman, Smith is poised to become the fourth Australian player to join this exclusive group, following in the footsteps of iconic cricketers like Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting. In anticipation of this remarkable achievement, Border has voiced his admiration for Smith, shedding light on his standing among the all-time greats. Border noted that Smith's extraordinary average of approximately 57 elevates him to an elite echelon of cricketers, particularly when excluding the exceptional performance of Bradman. He elaborated that Smith's accomplishments align him with Tudor legends of Australian cricket, including Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh.
With respect to global cricketing legends, Border, a devoted admirer of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, acknowledged Smith's exceptional talent and placed him in the same category as these celebrated players.
While the excitement surrounding Smith's journey to the 10,000-run milestone has been palpable, it is noteworthy that this final ascent has taken longer than many anticipated. Smith had begun the 2023-24 season with a somewhat subdued performance, which included a brief opportunity to serve as opener following the retirement of longtime teammate David Warner. However, the tide began to shift with back-to-back centuries recorded in Brisbane and Melbourne, which put him in striking distance of the coveted figure. Unfortunately, his recent dismissal has only prolonged that wait and added pressure as he prepares for upcoming contests.
As Smith gears up for the challenging tour of Sri Lanka, he may find himself captaining the Australian side in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is expected to miss at least one Test match due to the arrival of his second child. The cricketing world will undoubtedly be watching closely as Smith embarks on this pivotal series, where he will have another chance to solidify his legacy and join an elite group of players in Test cricket history.
In conclusion, the anticipation surrounding Steven Smith's quest for 10,000 runs continues to build, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the moment he achieves this significant milestone. With a remarkable career marked by consistent excellence and a reputation as one of the best batsmen of his generation, Smith embodies the spirit of resilience and determination that characterizes the game of cricket. As he prepares for his next challenge, the cricketing community stands ready to celebrate his imminent success.