Australia's experienced batsman and stand-in captain Steve Smith has completed 10000 runs in Test cricket during the first Test match being played against Sri Lanka in Galle. He has become the fourth Australian batsman to complete 10000 runs in Tests. Smith is the second Australian batsman who has achieved this feat fastest. As soon as Smith did this, the spectators on the field and the players of the Sri Lankan team greeted him by clapping.

15th batsman in the world to achieve this feat

35-year-old Smith has joined the list of legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara in terms of completing 10000 runs in Tests. Smith is the 15th batsman in the world to complete 10000 runs in Test history. Before him, Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ponting are the Australian batsmen who have reached this feat. Smith has achieved this milestone in 115 Tests and 205 innings. Brian Lara, Sachin and Kumar Sangakkara completed 10000 runs in Tests in 195 innings.

Second Australian batsman to score most Test centuries

Smith's Test journey started in 2010 against Pakistan. His debut was not memorable and he scored 13 runs in both innings combined. However, with the passage of time, he became one of Australia's successful batsmen and emerged as a strong batsman of the team in the middle order. He has 34 centuries in Test format and is the second Australian batsman to score most Test centuries. Only Ricky Ponting has scored more centuries than him, who has 41 centuries in Tests.

Taking charge in the absence of Cummins
Smith is leading the team in the absence of Pat Cummins in the Test series against Sri Lanka. Australia recently defeated India in a five-match Test series and will look to impress in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Australia will face South Africa in the WTC final in June.