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NEW YORK Sunday, October 11, 2026

Africa

Steve Smith breaks Joe Root's Test catches record

Australia's Steve Smith overtakes Joe Root with 221 catches in Test cricket.

New York Editorial News Desk October 11, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Smith surpassed Root's record with a catch on day 3 of the first Test.
  • Australia scored 390 in their first innings, outscoring South Africa by 161.
  • Matt Renshaw scored 190, and Pat Cummins added 43 runs for Australia.

Steve Smith of Australia has set a new record in Test cricket by taking his 221st catch, surpassing Joe Root's previous mark of 220. The milestone was achieved during the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban.

Smith's catch came on day 3 of the match, when he took a diving catch of Bedingham off Pat Cummins' bowling. Bedingham was on 49 runs when he edged the ball to the slips, and Smith made the crucial stop.

The record for most catches by an outfielder in Test cricket now stands at 221 for Smith, with Root at 220, Rahul Dravid at 210, and others following in the rankings.

Australia dominated the first Test, posting a total of 390 runs in their first innings. South Africa managed only 229/8 after 65 overs, leaving them 161 runs behind.

Matt Renshaw played a key role for Australia, scoring 190 runs off 397 deliveries. Pat Cummins contributed 43 runs, supporting the team's strong performance.

Australia holds the advantage in the Test and will look to build on their lead in hopes of securing a series victory.

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