Australian batting maestro Steve Smith has added another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career, surpassing Mark Waugh to become the sixth-highest run-scorer for Australia in international cricket. Smith achieved this feat during the third Test against India at Brisbane, where he ended a long century drought with a commanding knock.
Smith scored a masterful 101 off 190 balls, including 10 boundaries, marking his first century in 25 innings — the longest gap without a hundred in his career. His previous longest gap was 22 innings, between his debut and his maiden Test century. The ton was a timely return to form for the prolific batter and came as part of a match-defining partnership with Travis Head.
Across 344 international matches, Smith has now amassed 16,561 runs at an average of 47.58, including 45 centuries and 80 half-centuries, with a highest score of 239. In surpassing Mark Waugh, who scored 16,529 runs in 372 matches at an average of 40.51, Smith further solidified his place among Australia’s cricketing greats. Waugh’s record included 38 centuries and 97 fifties in 445 innings, with a highest score of 173.
Smith’s century also tied him with Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries (9) in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He became the eighth player to surpass 2,000 runs in the iconic series, bringing his tally to 2,007 runs in 21 matches at a stunning average of 60.81. His record in the series includes nine centuries, five fifties, and a highest score of 192.
After opting to bowl first, India managed a solid start, reducing Australia to 75/3 on day two with wickets from Usman Khawaja (21), Nathan McSweeney (9), and Marnus Labuschagne (12). However, a monumental 241-run partnership between Smith and Travis Head turned the momentum in Australia’s favor. Head’s blistering 152 off 160 balls complemented Smith’s steady knock, leaving the Indian bowlers scrambling for answers.
Jasprit Bumrah, with figures of 5/72, eventually broke the stand and triggered a mini-collapse, but Australia ended the day strongly at 405/7, with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) unbeaten at the crease.