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Australia’s batting stalwart Steve Smith once again proved why he’s regarded as one of the greatest Test batters of the modern era. On Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final against South Africa at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, the 36-year-old walked in at No. 4 with Australia under pressure. Calm and composed, Smith anchored the innings beautifully. He brought up his fifty in 76 deliveries, showcasing remarkable patience and technique against a formidable South African pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada. Fittingly, it was a boundary off Rabada on the first ball of the 33rd over that took Smith to his half-century, his latest milestone at a venue where he has made a habit of dominating.
Steve Smith sets a new record in England during the AUS vs SA WTC 2025 final
With his 50 in this crucial match, Smith etched his name in cricketing folklore by surpassing an elite record. The modern-day legend now holds the record for the most 50-plus scores by a non-English batter on English soil in Test cricket. In 23 Test matches played in England so far, Smith has racked up 18 scores of fifty or more, including 8 centuries and 10 half-centuries. This achievement surpasses that of two other iconic batters, Allan Border of Australia and Sir Viv Richards of the West Indies, both of whom had tallied 17 50-plus scores in England during their illustrious careers. It’s a testament to Smith’s unmatched consistency and adaptability in conditions that have historically tested the best.
The milestones didn’t stop there for the Australian maestro. By moving past the 51-run mark, Smith overtook former Australian batter Warren Bardsley to become the highest run-scorer by a non-English batter at Lord’s in Test history. Bardsley had scored 575 runs from five Tests at the Home of Cricket. Smith, with this innings of 66, now has 576 runs from just six matches at the iconic venue, further cementing his legacy at Lord’s, often regarded as the ultimate test of a batter’s skill and temperament. The overall record at Lord’s still belongs to England’s Joe Root, who has amassed a staggering 2022 runs from 22 Tests at the venue, followed closely by legends Graham Gooch (2015) and Alastair Cook (1937).
Also WATCH: Kyle Verreynne grabs a gravity defying catch to dismiss Travis Head on Day 1 of the AUS vs SA WTC 2025 final
Aiden Markram strikes to dismiss a dominant Smith
Meanwhile, just when it looked like Smith was marching toward another Lord’s century, South Africa found a breakthrough, and it came from an unexpected source. Skipper Temba Bavuma made a tactical bowling change, introducing Aiden Markram into the attack primarily to rotate ends with Wiaan Mulder. What followed was a game-changing moment. Markram tossed one up outside off, tempting Smith into a booming cover drive. Smith took the bait, but the ball took the edge and flew toward the slip cordon. Standing tall in the lone slip position, Marco Jansen juggled the catch twice before finally completing it on the third attempt. The celebration from Bavuma and the South African contingent was thunderous. Smith’s innings came to an end at 66 runs with Australia reducing to 173/5 during 2nd session, a knock filled with elegance, determination, and history, but falling short of a deserved century.
Also WATCH: Marco Jansen bowls a beauty to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne on Day 1 of WTC 2025 Final – SA vs AUS
