Australia's Steve Smith acknowledged the crowd | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Australia's Steve Smith acknowledged the crowd | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Australia’s batting maestro Steve Smith joined the 10,000-run club after he reached the elite landmark against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium in Galle on Wednesday, January 29. (More Cricket News)

Steve Smith etched his name into the history books by becoming just the fourth Australian to score 10,000 in Test cricket.

Smith flicked left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a single to mid-on to reach the elite landmark in his 205th innings, also becoming the fifth-fastest batter in Tests.

Among the Aussies, only Ricky Ponting has crossed the milestone quicker, in only 196 innings. 

China, meanwhile, have experienced a rollercoaster of results. After a demoralizing 0-3 defeat to India, they bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Malaysia. However, their momentum was short-lived as they faced another loss, this time 2-3 against South Korea.

PR Sreejesh also said that he will continue to contribute to the sport and strive to help the country become a hockey superpower. 

Smith kicked off the Australian summer 315 runs away from the 10,000 mark. He scored back-to-back hundred in Brisbane, and then scored a brilliant 140 in Melbourne to get within touching distance.

He flew to Sydney for the New Year’s Test just 38 short and was dismissed on 33 on Day 2 of the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, leaving him just five behind. 

However, he was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna, stranded on 9,999.

Before the Brisbane Test, Smith had gone 24 innings without a hundred but his recent form, that has helped him regain his lost touch has buried all the doubts. 

Australia will play two Tests and two ODIs in Sri Lanka before they head to the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE.vvjl