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Star Australian batter Steve Smith broke yet another Test batting record during his innings on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at the iconic Lord’s Stadium in London on Wednesday (June 28). The right-handed batter became the fastest Australian batter to get to 9000 runs in the longest format of the game. The 34-year-old needed 31 runs to reach the landmark and remains unbeaten after having scored a fine half-century after Ben Stokes invited Australia to bat first in overcast conditions. Smith has reached the 9000-run feat in what happens to be his 99th Test match.
Overall, Smith used 174 innings to get to the 9000-run milestone. This happens to be 2 innings more than than the Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara who happens to be the fastest to score 9000 runs in Test cricket. However, the Australian vice-captain did manage to break Australia’s own record which belonged to Ricky Ponting who had crossed the mark in 177 innings. Ponting had crossed the 9000-run milestone in 2006 against England in Brisbane in an Ashes Test. He has also reached there quicker than the likes of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar among other greats of the game.
What a star. Well and truly amongst the game’s greats ⭐️#Ashes pic.twitter.com/s0js5jNUdL
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 28, 2023
Moreover, if one considers the number of matches played to reach the landmark then Smith has reached the feat quicker than anyone else in the world in 99 Test matches. The previous record-holder was Brian Lara who had reached the 9000-run mark in his 101st Test match. Interestingly, Smith had been adjudged out early in his innings when a Stuart Broad delivery went past his bat. However, the batter instantly reviewed the call and survived as the ball had made no contact with either the bat or the gloves.
Australia are 1-0 up in the series and will look to extend their lead after getting off to a positive start in the second Test match.
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