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Smith admits 10,000-run marker weighed on him in Sydney as history beckons in Galle
Lachlan Geleit • January 14th, 2025 12:54 pm
Steve Smith admits the 10,000-run milestone hanging over his head weighed on him during the SCG Test against India.
Smith entered the match on 9962 Test runs, needing 38 across both innings to become just the fourth Australian to reach the figure alongside Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh.
Unfortunately for the number four, Smith managed 33 & 4, falling just one run short of the marker at his home ground as the series wrapped up with an Australian 3-1 victory.
While he often doesn’t read too much into statistical milestones, Smith says that 10,000 was different for him, causing him to even struggle sleeping in the lead up to the game as only 14 men have reached the figure in the history of Test cricket.
“I don't read too much into stats and stuff, but, 10,000 is a bit of a different beast,” Smith told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It probably was (on my mind), to be honest. Normally I sort of don't buy into any of that stuff, but pre-game, I was doing lots of media because I was approaching that mark.
“I knew I needed 38, and all I could actually picture trying to sleep at night was the back of Josh Hazlewood's shirt because he's number 38 (laughs). It’s strange like that, isn't it?
“It was probably playing on my mind more than any other game that I've played, to be honest.
“But, it is what it is, fortunately, we were able to win that game in the end, so it didn't really matter.”
Luckily for Smith, he’s almost certain to reach the mark later this month in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and he hopes to do it on Day 1 of the two-match series.
“It's pretty special. I’d love to tick it off on the first day in Galle,” Smith said.
“It would have been great to have been able to do it in Sydney in front of all my friends and family because you’re joining a pretty elite group there I suppose, but it wasn’t to be.
“As a kid, I never would have dreamt of that, I dreamt to play cricket for Australia and have a career playing for Australia, but to have been able to get to this mark, it's a dream come true in a way.”
The first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle begins on January 29, listen to every ball of the series LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.
