Smith Joins Elite Australian Test Club with 11,000 Runs

Steve Smith achieved a milestone during the second Test against South Africa, becoming only the third Australian batter to score 11,000 runs in Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

He reached this feat on Day 4 of the match, scoring 28 runs as the visitors struggled against the Proteas bowlers. Smith joins former Australian batters Ricky Ponting and Allan Border in this exclusive club.

Smith, who made his Test debut in 2010, now has 37 centuries, the second-most for Australia and sixth overall. He also has 45 fifty-plus scores. In the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, Smith has scored 650 runs from 10 Tests, helping Australia stay atop the standings.

The second Test is evenly poised, with South Africa enforcing a follow-on after restricting Australia to 99 in the first innings. The hosts aim to level the series 1-1 in Gqeberha.

Smith's achievement is a testament to his experience and skill. He is one of only 12 players to have reached 11,000 runs in Test cricket, a milestone that highlights his status as one of the most prolific batters in the game.

The ICC World Test Championship is a premier international competition for Test cricket, featuring the top nine Test-playing nations. The championship cycle typically lasts two years, with teams competing in a series of bilateral matches to earn points based on their performance.