Steve Smith created history in the second Test between Australia and South Africa at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, by crossing the 11,000-run mark in the longest format. Smith became the only third Aussie to achieve the feat and joined the elite club of 12 cricketers in Test history who have surpassed 11000 runs.

Steve Smith Completes Milestone On Day 4 Of The Second Test

On the fourth day of the match, the Australian batter tamely sliced a short-of-length ball from Marco Jansen behind the wicket to the covers and took a single to complete the 11000 Test runs.

Smith became the 12th cricketer overall and the third Australian to reach the staggering figure. Smith’s achieved the milestone while batting with neck pain against the Proteas attack.

Steve Smith Becomes Third Australian To Score 11,000 Test Runs

The right-handed batter joined Australian greats Ricky Ponting and Allan Border in the list of Australians who have scored over 11000 Test runs. Ponting remains Australia’s leading run-scorer with 13,378 runs, while Border ended his Test career with 11,174 runs.

Smith has overtaken several Australian batting legends in the all-time Test run-scorer list, including Steve Waugh, David Warner, Michael Clarke, and Matthew Hayden. Smith has a career batting average of over 55 in Tests, and he has been in scintillating form against some of the best bowling attacks in the world.

Steve Smith Struggles With Neck Pain During Second SA vs AUS Test

The 35-year-old had to receive multiple treatments from the team physio throughout the day as he battled a recurring neck injury. Smith seemed to be in visible discomfort as he struggled to turn his head towards the bowler in his crease.

At one point, he even dropped a medicine tab in his crease and wasted a couple of balls trying to pick it up. Reports suggest that Smith was suffering from vertigo and considered retirement from international cricket.

However, he managed to stay on the crease for the majority of the day before Mulder snared him out for a duck. The South African all-rounder pitched a delivery that drifted in and went through between bat and pad to hit the top of the stumps.

Smith’s 28 runs in 88 balls came at a strike rate of 32. So, Australia found themselves in a spot of bother at 96/8 against South Africa and eventually their innings came to an end at the score of just 99.

Steve Smith Completes 1,000 Test Runs Against South Africa

Prior to the historic century, Smith also scored 1000 Test runs against South Africa during the ongoing series. Earlier this year, Smith needed 15 more runs at the beginning of the game to complete this landmark.

The Australian completed the feat during the 15th Test against the Proteas. Smith became the ninth Australian batter to score 1000 Test runs against South Africa.

He joined the names of Ricky Ponting, Neil Harvey, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, David Warner, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, and Michael Hussey.

In six Tests in Australia against South Africa, Smith has scored 443 runs at an average of 49.22. He has scored over 480 runs in eight Tests in South Africa. Smith has recorded nearly 79 runs in a Test match at an average of 38 in South Africa.

The new milestone will motivate Smith and his team to fight harder in the second Test against South Africa.