Smith joins Ponting, Border in exclusive Aussie Test club

South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test scorecard

Steve Smith became only the third Australian batter to attain 11,000 runs in Test cricket during his outing on Day 4 of the second Test against South Africa. 

The 37-year-old, who was the top-scorer for the visitors (28) in an innings where the Proteas bowlers dominated the proceedings, crossed the milestone that only two other former Australian batters have. 

Meanwhile, alongside Ricky Ponting (13378) and Allan Border (11174), Smith joins a total of 12 players who have achieved the feat in the longest format of the game.

Smith, who made his Test debut back in 2010, has 37 centuries to his name, the second-most for Australia and the sixth overall.

The right-hander is only behind Sachin Tendulkar (51), Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Joe Root, and Kumar Sangakkara in the all-time tally. 

In addition, Smith also boasts 45 fifty-plus scores. With Australia atop the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, the most experienced batter in their current squad has been prolific with the bat, scoring 650 runs from 10 Tests in the ongoing cycle.

*after first innings of Gqeberha Test

Australia will hope for their seasoned run-getter to conjure up a special innings with the second Test of their ongoing series against Proteas hanging in the balance. 

Having restricted the visitors for 99 in the first innings, South Africa have enforced a follow-on as they eye to level the series 1-1 in Gqeberha.