Steve Smith has set a new benchmark in Test cricket by claiming the most career catches by a fielder, reaching 223 as Australia established a dominant position on the third day of the opening Test against South Africa at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
Smith took four catches during Sunday’s session, surpassing the previous mark held by England’s Joe Root. He equaled the record when he caught Temba Bavuma and broke it in the following innings by lunging to his left from second slip to hold a sharp edge from David Bedingham, who was off the bowling of Pat Cummins.
The Australian captain led his side to a comprehensive reply, dismissing South Africa for 284 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 390. Cummins finished with figures of three for 54, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon each claimed two wickets as the veteran bowling quartet exerted relentless pressure on a track offering little assistance to the batsmen.
Although six Protea batsmen reached the 30-run mark, only Bedingham made a significant contribution with a top score of 49. Smith continued to be a thorn in South Africa’s batting lineup, producing another spectacular dismissal when he held an outstretched right-hand catch off a reverse sweep by wicketkeeper Marco Jansen.
Play was called early on the third consecutive day due to bad light, with Nic Maddinson (17 not out) and Travis Head (10 not out) adding 33 runs in just 5.4 overs to extend Australia’s lead to 139. Maddinson, who had failed to score in the first innings, hit two fours off Jansen and a six off Wiaan Mulder before the end of play.
Smith’s record-breaking haul of 223 catches now exceeds the totals collected by all but 11 specialist wicketkeepers in the history of the game.
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