Ashes 2023: Steve Smith becomes fastest Australian batter to score 9000 runs in Test cricket

Australian talisman Steve Smith has become the fastest Australian batter to score 9000 runs in Test cricket. Smith achieved the milestone in the first innings of the second Ashes Test against England at the Lord’s on Wednesday.

The right-hander needed 31 runs to get to the milestone before the start of play. Smith required a total of 174 Test innings to complete 9000 runs and became the second-fastest batter after Kumar Sangakkara (172 innings) to get to the landmark.

India’s former skipper and current head coach Rahul Dravid is now the third-fastest as he took a total of 176 innings to reach 9000 Test runs.

Meanwhile, Smith got off to a brisk start against England, racing to 24 off just 15 balls. However, after settling at the crease, Smith decided to take more time and completed his fifty in 102 deliveries.

In fact, Smith was given out by the on-field umpire on the bowling of Stuart Broad. However, Smith was able to successfully change the on-field decision by going upstairs with a review. On review, there was a day-light difference between the bat and the ball.

FASTEST TO 9,000 TEST RUNS (INNINGS)

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 172 in 2011
Steve Smith (Australia) – 174 in 2023
Rahul Dravid (India) -176 in 2006
Brian Lara (West Indies) – 177 in 2004
Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 177 in 2006.

After winning the toss, England skipper Ben Stokes decided to bowl first in overcast conditions at Lord’s as the pitch also had a tinge of grass on it. Smith added 102 runs with Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 47 runs before he was dismissed by Ollie Robinson.

On the other hand, Australia’s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon became the first bowler to play 100 consecutive Test matches.