Australia Star Steve Smith goes past Ponting, becomes Australia’s leading Test run-scorer in Asia
Steve Smith surpassed Ricky Ponting to become Australia’s leading Test run-scorer in the Asian subcontinent during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith achieved this feat on February 7, 2025, just a day after surpassing Ponting’s record for the most Test catches by an Australian outfielder.
Needing 27 runs to break Ponting’s record of 1,889 runs in Asia, Smith accomplished the milestone shortly after lunch, scoring a single off Sri Lankan spinner NishanPeiris. Smith reached the milestone in his 42nd innings with an average of 51.08, compared to Ponting’s 48 innings at an average of 41.97. Smith admitted he tried to not focus on the milestone.
Despite a challenging start in the second Test, including a close LBW appeal on the first ball and a near-edge off PrabathJayasuriya’s bowling at 12, Smith successfully reviewed an LBW decision four runs shy of the record. His expertise in Asian conditions was evident in the first Test, where he scored a skillful 141, marking his sixth Test century in Asia and averaging over 50 in Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan. He is now tied with Allan Border for the most Test centuries by an Australian in Asia.