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Australia National Cricket Team’s batting maestro Steve Smith has once again proved why he is considered one of the greatest slip fielders of this generation on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
Smith produced a stunning piece of fielding as Australia picked up three quick wickets against Bangladesh to put the touring side on the back foot in the ongoing first Test in Darwin.
These three catches were not only important for Australia but also helped Smith reach a huge Test milestone. Amid this, Nathan Lyon is angry at Australia teammates after Bangladesh rout! Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden react.
Steve Smith takes brilliant catch to end Shanto's century dream
Smith's first catch came when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. He was batting confidently and was close to a century. Hazlewood bowled a length delivery just outside off stump. The ball held its line after pitching, and Shanto stayed in his crease while trying to play at it. He got a thick outside edge.
The ball travelled towards Smith at second slip. It came at a comfortable height, and Smith moved slightly to his left to end Shanto's brilliant knock at 84 off 126 balls, featuring seven fours and one six. Amid this, Tanzid Hasan joins Virat Kohli and Babar Azam with a historic Test ton in Australia.
Smith reacts quickly at second slip to dismiss Litton Das for a duck
The former Australian captain did not have to wait long for his next chance. Mitchell Starc was bowling with the second new ball and produced a full delivery around off stump.
The ball moved away after pitching. Litton Das looked confused and tried to defend it with very little movement of his feet. The ball found the outside edge and flew towards second slip.
Well, Steve Smith had to move to his right this time. The Aussie star reacted instantly and held the ball firmly with both hands as Litton was dismissed for 0 off 12 balls.
Steve Smith's brilliant catch ends Mushfiqur's stay
Then came the record catch. Australian captain Pat Cummins bowled a length delivery outside off stump. The ball came into Mushfiqur Rahim with some extra bounce. Mushfiqur was stuck between leaving the ball and playing it. He tried to take his bat away late, but the ball had already found the edge. The ball flew quickly towards Smith's right at second slip.
Steve Smith reacted sharply, moved across, and got his hands to the ball. He completed the catch cleanly with Mushfiqur walking back for 36 off 55 balls and gave Australia another key wicket and took his catch tally to 218 in Test cricket.
Steve Smith equals Joe Root's world record with 218 Test catches
With this, Steve Smith made a world record. He became the joint most successful fielder in test cricket. The Australia star has now joined England superstar Joe Root at the top of the Test catching list for non-wicketkeepers. Both Root and Smith have 218 Test catches.
While Root managed to achieve this feat in 166 Test matches, Steve Smith reached there in just 124 matches. The second place belongs to Indian great Rahul Dravid with 210 catches. He was followed by Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene (205) and South African icon Jacques Kallis (200).
Mitchell Starc overtakes Kapil Dev to reach big milestone
On the other hand, Mitchell Starc has achieved another milestone in Test cricket. The left-arm pacer has overtaken the India legend Kapil Dev (434) in a big Test cricket record. Starc has now become the sixth leading wicket-taking fast bowler in Test cricket with 435 wickets to his name in the format.
The current list of most Test wickets among pacers is:
James Anderson – 704
Stuart Broad – 604
Glenn McGrath – 563
Courtney Walsh – 519
Dale Steyn – 439
Mitchell Starc – 435*
Kapil Dev – 434
