Steve Smith breaks Joe Root's Test catch record
Australia's Steve Smith overtakes England's Joe Root in all-time Test catches.
The Brief
- Smith caught David Bedingham during Australia's first innings to reach 221 Test catches.
- Smith's catch surpassed Root's previous record of 220.
- Australia scored 390 after Matt Renshaw's 190.
Steve Smith of Australia surpassed Joe Root to become the leading Test fielder after catching David Bedingham during Australia's first innings against South Africa.
The catch occurred as Bedingham edged a delivery from Pat Cummins toward first slip.
Smith dived to his left to take the catch, dismissing Bedingham just one run short of his half-century.
The catch brought Smith's total to 221 in Test cricket, surpassing Root's previous record of 220.
Rahul Dravid holds the third position with 210 catches, followed by Mahela Jayawardene with 205 and Jacques Kallis with 200.
Smith's batting performance was modest, scoring 25 off 53 balls with two sixes in Australia's first innings.
He contributed 60 runs with Marnus Labuschagne after Australia lost early wickets.
Marco Jansen dismissed Smith shortly after lunch on Day 1, with Wiaan Mulder taking a low catch at gully.
Smith's dismissal left Australia in trouble, but Matt Renshaw's 190 helped the visitors recover to 390.
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