Most catches by a fielder in Test cricket: Can Steve Smith break Joe Root’s record during the Bangladesh series? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- History beckons Australia's Steve Smith.
- The Australian is just one short of displacing England's Joe Root for most Test catches by a fielder.
- Smith has a chance to complete it on day two in Darwin in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh.
MORE:Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test Live scorecard and commentary
Steve Smith nearing historic Test record at Darwin
Steve Smith has been the lone warrior for an Aussie side that has looked totally out of its depth against the visiting Bangladesh. The former skipper was the sole batter to cross 50 in the first innings before getting dismissed for 71 by Hassan Mahmud.
The bowler was a surprise for the hosts, who saw their entire batting order being dismissed for nothing, including the wickets of captain Pat Cummins and danger man Travis Head.
But for Smith, he was busy matching Joe Root for the record of the most catches by a fielder. Smith started the innings trailing by just three catches at 215 behind Root's 218.
A string of quick wickets meant that Smith quickly took three catches at the second slip to send Najmul Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das to the dressing room.
Can Smith break the record during this home series?
Bangladesh are 324/6 in the final session of day two, and Smith just needs one more catch to break Root's record. There's still a minimum of 19 overs to be bowled, which gives him plenty of room to try to dismiss the Bangladeshi tail end.
With the new ball nowhere in sight for the rest of Bangladesh's remaining time on the crease, Smith would hope that Nathan Lyon brings some more of that spin magic to the crease.
Mehidy Hasan and Hasan Mahmud, however, look adamant to end the day unbeaten.
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Top 10 fielders with most catches in Test history
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root (ENG) | 2012-2026 | 166 | 317 | 218 |
| Steve Smith (AUS) | 2010-2026 | 124 | 236 | 218* |
| Rahul Dravid (ICC/IND) | 1996-2012 | 164 | 301 | 210 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 1997-2014 | 149 | 270 | 205 |
| Jacques Kallis (ICC/SA) | 1995-2013 | 166 | 315 | 200 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 1995-2012 | 168 | 328 | 196 |
| Mark Waugh (AUS) | 1991-2002 | 128 | 245 | 181 |
| Alastair Cook (ENG) | 2006-2018 | 161 | 300 | 175 |
| Stephen Fleming (NZ) | 1994-2008 | 111 | 199 | 171 |
| Graeme Smith (ICC/SA) | 2002-2014 | 117 | 225 | 169 |
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