9,999 runs and out: This legendary player missed 10,000 Test runs by a single run

Sydney (The Uttam Hindu): Australia's star batsman Steve Smith fell short of reaching 10,000 Test runs for the second time in two days. In the Sydney Test, he was dismissed after being caught in the slip, missing the milestone by just five runs. Twenty-four hours later, he attempted to defend a bouncy short-length delivery from Krishna, which rose and caught him in the gully. Smith became the second batsman after Mahela Jayawardene to be dismissed on 9999 runs.

Smith will now have another chance to join the 10,000-run club during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. He will become the 15th batsman to achieve this feat and the fourth Australian player after Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting. Before the Sydney Test, Border praised Smith, calling him a cricket legend. He told Nine Newspapers, "An average around 57 is among the highest levels, and if you exclude one player (Bradman), he is among the best. As for Australia, we have Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. But now, Steve Smith ranks equally among them. There is no doubt about it. I am a huge fan of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, who were exceptional players, but Steve is certainly in their group."

It seemed inevitable that Smith would achieve this milestone. He was the fastest to reach 8000 Test runs and the second fastest to reach 9000. However, after a relatively weaker 2023-24 season, it has taken longer than expected to reach the top, including a brief stint as an opener following David Warner's retirement. Consecutive centuries in Brisbane and Melbourne had brought him close but the wait continues. Pat Cummins will miss at least one Test due to the birth of his second child and Smith is expected to captain Australia during the Sri Lanka tour.