Steve Smith has made history in Darwin during the first Test against Bangladesh, matching Joe Root’s world record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket. Smith achieved this milestone on Day 2 of the match.
Starting the game with 215 catches, Smith secured three catches at second slip during Bangladesh’s first innings. He held onto edges from Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Litton Das, reaching a total of 218 catches in his 124th Test match. This achievement places him alongside Root at the top of the all-time list for non-wicketkeepers.
Smith’s Rapid Ascent to Record
Smith’s accomplishment is notable for the speed with which he reached the record. The Australian fielder secured 218 catches in 124 Tests, significantly fewer than the 166 Tests Root required to reach the same tally. Smith also reached this landmark 89 innings earlier than Root.
The record for most catches in Test cricket by a non-wicketkeeper is now jointly held by Smith and Root, both with 218 catches. This highlights Smith’s consistent performance in the field throughout his career.
Beyond his fielding prowess, Smith also contributed with the bat in the same match. He was the top scorer for Australia in their first innings, making 71 runs off 109 balls, which included seven fours and one six. This innings was his 45th Test half-century, a crucial effort when Australia was struggling at 74/4.
Smith’s 71-run knock helped establish a 56-run partnership with Alex Carey, providing some stability after Hasan Mahmud had dismissed both openers, Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, and later Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green. Mahmud eventually dismissed Smith, finishing with figures of 6/55 in the first innings.
Australia’s Batting Struggles and Other Milestones
Despite Smith’s efforts, Australia faced difficulties in their first innings, being bowled out for 198. Bangladesh’s strong performance, particularly Mahmud’s six-wicket haul, put Australia under pressure. Mahmud continued his form in the second innings, taking two more wickets, bringing his match total to eight.
On Day 3, Australia ended on 161/4, still 67 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 426. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also made a significant impact, scoring 65 runs and later dismissing Smith for 44 runs in the second innings, further dampening Australia’s hopes.
Josh Hazlewood of Australia claimed 6/89, reaching a personal milestone of 300 Test wickets. He became the ninth Australian player to achieve this feat. At stumps, Cameron Green (43*) and Alex Carey (19*) remained unbeaten, but Australia faced a substantial challenge to overcome the deficit and set a competitive target for Bangladesh.
Smith’s 45th Test half-century is also his 82nd fifty-plus score, placing him joint third for Australia in this category, alongside Steve Waugh. They are behind only Ricky Ponting (103) and Allan Border (90). Smith’s career statistics include 37 centuries, the second-most for Australia, and he has accumulated 10,834 runs in 124 Tests at an average of 56.13. He is one of four Australians to have surpassed 10,000 Test runs.
Bangladesh is currently in a strong position, aiming for what could be one of their most significant Test victories. The match continues to unfold with Australia facing a considerable task.
Top Fielders in Test Cricket
Only five non-wicketkeepers have managed to take more than 200 catches in Test cricket, highlighting the difficulty and importance of fielding in the format. The list of top fielders includes some of the game’s legends.
| Rank | Fielder | Tests | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Smith (AUS) | 124 | 218 |
| 2 | Joe Root (ENG) | 166 | 218 |
| 3 | Rahul Dravid (IND) | 164 | 210 |
| 4 | Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 149 | 205 |
| 5 | Jacques Kallis (SA) | 166 | 200 |
Jacques Kallis of South Africa retired with 200 catches in 166 Tests, in addition to his 13,289 runs and 292 wickets. Mahela Jayawardene from Sri Lanka finished his career with 205 catches in 149 Tests, known for his clinical slip catching, especially in the subcontinent. Rahul Dravid, the former India captain, recorded 210 catches in 164 Test matches, earning the nickname “The Wall” for his solid batting and reliable fielding.
Joe Root currently holds the joint-most catches in Test cricket by a non-wicketkeeper, with 218 catches in 166 matches. With several years of cricket potentially ahead of him, his tally could still increase. Steve Smith now shares this top spot, having reached 218 catches in fewer matches than Root, demonstrating his exceptional fielding skills in addition to his prolific batting.
All statistics mentioned were updated as of August 14th, 2026.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
