Image: Steve Smith equaled Ricky Ponting's record and is now aiming for Rahul Dravid's all-time best / © Fox Sports
In the ongoing series between Australia and Sri Lanka, Steve Smith has made history by equaling Ricky Ponting’s record for the most catches in Test cricket, with 196 catches. This remarkable achievement came during the second Test match in Galle, where Smith took a sharp catch off Kamindu Mendis’ cut shot.
With this catch, Smith joined Ponting at the top of Australia’s all-time Test catch list. Now, with only 15 catches separating him from Rahul Dravid’s world record of 210, Smith is poised to surpass the Indian legend in the near future, assuming his fitness holds up. Smith’s versatility as a fielder has been crucial for Australia, whether it’s off Nathan Lyon’s spin, Pat Cummins’ seamers, or Mitchell Starc’s fast deliveries.
| Name of the Player | Number of Catches Taken |
|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 196 |
| Ricky Ponting | 196 |
| Mark Waugh | 181 |
| Mark Taylor | 157 |
| Allan Border | 156 |
| Michael Clarke | 134 |
| Matthew Hayden | 131 |
| Shane Warne | 125 |
| Greg Chappell | 122 |
| Steve Waugh | 112 |
At 34, Smith still has many years ahead of him, and his form in the field continues to be vital for his team’s success. As for the match, Sri Lanka is struggling at 133/5 after 51 overs, with Dinesh Chandimal standing strong at 63*. Australia leads the series 1-0, and Sri Lanka will need a strong partnership to avoid another defeat.