Australia batter Steve Smith crossed the 11,000-run milestone in Test cricket on October 21, 2026, during the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, becoming the twelfth player overall and the third Australian to achieve the feat.
The landmark moment arrived on Day 4 of the fixture. Smith tapped a short-of-length delivery from Marco Jansen toward the covers for a single to complete the feat.
The right-hander made his Test debut in 2010. He joined an elite group of international cricketers while cementing his place behind fellow countrymen Ricky Ponting and Allan Border on the national run-scoring charts.
Steve Smith Joins Elite Australian Run Scorers
Ponting leads the nation with 13,378 runs, followed by Border with 11,174 runs, and Smith stands third with 11,000 runs. Smith holds the highest Test batting average among Australia’s leading run-scorers at over 55, placing him ahead of past greats such as Steve Waugh, David Warner, Michael Clarke, and Matthew Hayden.
Earlier in the same match, Smith completed 1,000 Test runs against South Africa. He needed just 15 runs at the start of the fixture to reach the mark in his 15th Test against the Proteas.
He became the ninth Australian batter to record 1,000 runs against South Africa. He joins a list that includes Ponting, Neil Harvey, Clarke, Hayden, Warner, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, and Michael Hussey.
11,000 TEST RUNS FOR STEVE SMITH! 🔥Steve Smith joins the elite club of batters with 11,000 runs in Test cricket! 🫡🏏#Cricket #Test #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/pWoUg9dyRi
Smith Battles Severe Neck Pain on Day 4
The historic achievement unfolded while Smith battled physical discomfort with severe neck pain. The former Australian captain received treatment from the team physiotherapist multiple times during his innings as stiffness restricted his head movement and technique.
Medical attention was required repeatedly at the crease, with concerns over potential vertigo symptoms surfacing as he dropped a medicinal tablet while attempting to pick it up.
He faced 88 deliveries before Wiaan Mulder bowled a delivery that angled in, passed between bat and pad, and hit the top of the stumps to dislodge a bail.
South Africa Bowls Out Australia for 99 Runs
Smith top-scored for his side with 28 runs, as the team was bowled out for just 99 runs in its first innings. South Africa had earlier declared its first innings at 425/9, anchored by 179 from captain Temba Bavuma and an 85-run contribution from Marco Jansen.
Jansen claimed five wickets to dismantle the Australian batting order. Facing a substantial deficit, Australia was subjected to the follow-on by South Africa, leaving the side under heavy pressure heading into the subsequent phase of the second Test in Gqeberha.