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Australia batter Steve Smith passed the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket during the first day of his side’s opening match in Sri Lanka.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 35-year-old went into the first Test of the two-match series on 9,999 runs and, as captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, chose to bat after winning the toss.<\/p>\n
He came to the crease after Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne had been dismissed and nudged his first delivery to mid-on for a single to become the 15th batter to reach 10,000 Test runs.<\/p>\n
Smith is the fourth Australian to reach the landmark after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.<\/p>\n
“Fortunately hit that one in the gap so nice to get that one away,” Smith, who was 64 not out at tea in Galle, told Australia’s 7Cricket.<\/p>\n
“Nice to tick that off,” he added.<\/p>\n
India’s Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test runs on 15,921, with Ponting second with 13,378.<\/p>\n
England’s Joe Root is fifth on the list with 12,972 runs after he passed compatriot Alastair Cook, who is sixth on 12,472. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n