Steve Smith creates history in Galle; becomes the 1st Australian to achieve this massive feat

Veteran cricketer Steve Smith has created history during the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at Galle. Smith reached this milestone in just 116 Tests and became the first Australian to take 200 catches in Test cricket.

Steve Smith reached the milestone on the fourth day of the Galle Test when he took the catch of Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis. Offspinner Nathan Lyon bowled a good length delivery pitching on middle and bounced awkwardly.

Mendis, who was earlier trying to play the ball through the leg side, was completely beaten by the sharp bounce and turn as he was cramped for room. He got a top edge that flew to Smith at short fine leg for a simple catch.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India coach delivers shocking update on Jasprit Bumrah's future

Watch: Steve Smith completes 200th catch in Test cricket

🚨 STEVE SMITH CREATED HISTORY 🚨

- Steve Smith becomes the first Australian to completed 200 catches in Test Cricket History. 🤯

pic.twitter.com/4N1tKeBqaN

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) February 9, 2025

It was a relatively simple chance for Australia's stand-in captain as they got the much-needed wicket of Kusal Mendis. He was dismissed for a counter-attacking 50 off 54 balls which included 5 fours and 1 six.

Steve Smith becomes first Australian to take 200 catches

It was Smith's 200th catch in Test cricket and he took just 116 matches to reach the milestone. Smith has now equaled South Africa's legendary allrounder Jacques Kallis, who also has 200 catches to his name, but he took 50 more Tests than Smith to reach there.

Smith is now the fourth on the list for the most no. of catches in Test cricket, just behind Mahela Jayawardene, Joe Root, and Rahul Dravid. The 35-year-old Australian is just 10 catches behind Rahul Dravid, who has taken the most no. of catches as a non-wicketkeeper in Tests.

Dravid has taken 210 catches in 164 Tests with a ratio of 0.697 catches per Test innings. Meanwhile, Smith carries a staggering ratio of 0.904 which shows his efficiency as a catch in this format.

Over the years, he has been a fantastic fielder and has taken some outstanding catches, mostly at the slip cordon. He has a great pair of hands and hardly drops any catch. The second Australian behind him is Ricy Ponting who has picked up 296 catches in 168 Tests.

Most catches in Test cricket

1. Rahul Dravid - 210 catches in 164 Tests
2. Joe Root - 207 catches in 152 Tests
3. Mahela Jayawardene - 205 catches in 149 Tests
4. Steve Smith - 200 catches in 116 Tests
5. Jacques Kallis - 200 catches in 166 Tests
6. Ricky Ponting - 196 catches in 168 Tests

Among all these players, Smith and Joe Root are the only active players. Both look set to surpass Rahul Dravid and create new records in terms of catching in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, Australia completed a clean sweep over Sri Lanka as they won the two-match Test series 2-0. Australian bowlers picked up the remaining two wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings quickly and then chased down the target of 75 runs with nine wickets remaining.