Wed Jan 29 14:01:27 UTC 2025: ## Aussie Captain Smith Reaches 10,000 Test Runs in Galle
**Galle, Sri Lanka –** Australian captain Steve Smith achieved a remarkable milestone on Wednesday, becoming only the 15th player in test cricket history and the fourth Australian to score 10,000 test runs. Smith reached the landmark on the first ball of his innings in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, punching a single to mid-on.
The achievement comes as Australia ended day one at 145-2 after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Smith’s contribution follows a strong opening partnership between Usman Khawaja (65 not out) and Travis Head (57), who both notched half-centuries. Head’s innings was particularly aggressive, reaching his 50 in just 35 balls. Khawaja, in contrast, adopted a more measured approach. Their partnership yielded a commanding 92 runs before Head was dismissed. Marnus Labuschagne added 20 runs before being caught.
Smith, leading the team in the absence of Pat Cummins (paternity leave), needed only one run to reach the milestone. He joins an elite group of Australian batsmen including Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh in surpassing 10,000 test runs. Sachin Tendulkar remains the all-time leading test run scorer. Australia is currently competing in the first Test against Sri Lanka following a recent series win against India, earning them a spot in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.
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