Steve Smith breaks the Test catches record on the third day at Kingsmead, taking four catches against South Africa on Sunday to become the most successful fielder in Test history.
Smith started the day on 219 catches, one behind England’s Joe Root. He finished it on 223, a new record, as South Africa were dismissed for 284 in reply to Australia’s 390. Australia then reached 33 without loss in their second innings, a lead of 139, before bad light ended play early for the third day running.
The record matters because of who held it and how Smith got there. Root is a slip fielder of the same generation, and the mark had changed hands only recently. Smith, playing his 126th Test, passed it in a single day in the slips, where most of his catches have come.
Steve Smith breaks the Test catches record in a single day
His first catch of the day levelled the record. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma tried a reverse sweep against Nathan Lyon, and Smith read it early, moved right, and took the mistimed shot at slip.
The record fell soon after. David Bedingham, who top-scored with 49, edged Pat Cummins, and Smith dived left from second slip to hold a sharp chance. There was nearly another before lunch, when a low edge from Wiaan Mulder was ruled not to have carried after a review, even though Mulder had started walking off.
Smith was not done. Kyle Verreynne also tried the reverse sweep, made firm contact, and Smith held the ball one-handed at full stretch. His fourth catch, an edge from last man Anrich Nortje off Beau Webster, closed the innings.
Only 11 specialist wicketkeepers in Test history have taken more dismissals of any kind than Smith’s 223 catches. Every one of his has come as an outfielder.
Cummins leads the attack as South Africa fall short
Australia’s bowlers shared the work on an easy-paced pitch. Cummins took three for 54, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon took two each. South Africa’s batters largely helped them: six men reached 30, yet none passed 50, and poor shots ended several promising innings.
Bedingham made 49, Aiden Markram 37, and Simon Harmer finished unbeaten on 35. Keshav Maharaj added 34, but the total still left South Africa 106 runs behind on first innings.
The deficit could have been far worse for the hosts. On the first day, Matt Renshaw and Cummins had rescued Australia from trouble to build the 390 that now controls the match.
A series South Africa are playing short-handed
Context sharpens the picture. South Africa lost Kagiso Rabada to injury before the series began, and Tony de Zorzi was also ruled out of this Test with a hamstring injury. Their batting has felt the strain: starts are coming, but nobody is turning them into the big score that changes a Test.
Australia’s second innings began briskly despite the gloom. Nic Maddinson, who had laboured to a 33-ball duck in the first innings, hit two fours off Marco Jansen and a six off Mulder to reach 17 not out. Travis Head was unbeaten on 10, and the pair added their 33 runs in only 5.4 overs.
Two days remain, and Australia hold every card: a 139-run lead, 10 wickets in hand, and a batting order that has already posted 390 on this pitch. South Africa need quick wickets on Monday morning, and then a chase their weakened line-up has so far shown no sign of managing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Steve Smith’s Test catches record?
Smith now has 223 catches in 126 Tests, the most by any fielder in Test history. He passed Joe Root’s mark of 220 on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead.
What is the match situation after day three in Durban?
South Africa were bowled out for 284, conceding a first-innings deficit of 106 runs to Australia’s 390. Australia reached 33 without loss in their second innings, a lead of 139, before bad light stopped play.
Who were Australia’s wicket-takers on day three?
Pat Cummins took three for 54. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon took two wickets each, and Beau Webster took the final wicket of Anrich Nortje. (Source: The Express Tribune)
