Steve Smith breaks Test fielding record as Australia dominate South Africa: news

Steve Smith Breaks Test Fielding Record as Australia Dominate South Africa in Durban

Durban Australia’s veteran star Steve Smith etched his name into cricket history on Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, officially breaking the world record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket.

Smith surpassed England stalwart Joe Root (220 catches), finishing South Africa’s first innings with a career tally of 223 catches across 126 matches. The milestone also lifts him clear of legendary fielders including India’s Rahul Dravid (210), Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (205), South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (200), and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting (196). Remarkably, Smith’s haul exceeds all but 11 specialist wicketkeepers in Test history.

How the Record Fell at Kingsmead

Smith started the day with 219 career catches before putting on a masterclass in the slip cordon:

• Catch 220 (Record Equalled): Anticipated a reverse-sweep from South Africa captain Temba Bavuma off Nathan Lyon, moving swiftly to his right at lone slip to secure the grab.

  NDTV

• Catch 221 (Record Broken): Lunged sharply to his left at second slip off Pat Cummins to dismiss David Bedingham for 49, claiming the outright world record.

  NDTV

• Catches 222 & 223: Continued his clinical work behind the wicket, concluding the innings with a grab off Beau Webster to remove Anrich Nortje and restrict the hosts.

  Deutsche Tageszeitung

Match Situation: Australia in Full Command

Backed by Matt Renshaw’s gritty 190 in the first innings, Australia posted 390 before dismissing South Africa for 284. A fiery opening burst from Travis Head and Nic Maddinson extended the tourists’ overall lead to 139 runs with all 10 wickets in hand, leaving Australia firmly in the driver’s seat heading into Day 4.