Steve Smith Breaks Lord’s Record, Overtakes Bradman and Tendulkar in WTC Final vs South Africa

On a day dominated by bowlers at Lord’s, where 14 wickets fell on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, Steve Smith stood tall amid the carnage, once again proving his class on one of cricket’s grandest stages.

Coming in at a precarious 16 for 2, Smith steadied the ship with a gritty 66 off 112 balls, including 10 boundaries. His calm and composed knock helped Australia post 212 after being sent in to bat, giving their bowlers something to work with.

Lord’s Love Affair: Smith Breaks Overseas Record

Smith’s innings was more than just vital — it was historic. With his knock, the 36-year-old became the highest-scoring overseas batter at Lord’s, surpassing legends like Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, and Warren Bardsley.

Most Runs by Overseas Batters at Lord’s (Tests):

• Steve Smith – 591 runs in 6 matches (10 innings), Avg: 59.10

• Warren Bardsley – 575 runs in 5 matches

• Garfield Sobers – 571 runs in 5 matches

• Don Bradman – 551 runs in 4 matches

• Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 512 runs

• Dilip Vengsarkar – 508 runs

• Allan Border – 503 runs

Smith’s record includes three fifties and two centuries, with a highest score of 215 at the “Home of Cricket.”

Smith Surpasses Tendulkar in ICC Knockouts

Smith also went past Sachin Tendulkar in another elite list — the most fifty-plus scores in ICC knockout matches. His half-century on Wednesday was his seventh in such games, edging past Tendulkar’s six.

Most 50+ Scores in ICC Knockouts:

1. Virat Kohli – 10 (1,024 runs in 22 matches, Avg: 51.20)

2. Steve Smith – 7

3. Sachin Tendulkar – 6 (682 runs in 15 matches, Avg: 48.71)

Australia’s Recovery After Early Collapse

Australia were reeling at 67/4 after losing Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head. But Smith and young all-rounder Beau Webster stitched a crucial 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket, stabilizing the innings.

Smith eventually fell in an unusual manner — caught off part-time spinner Aiden Markram — something he wryly regretted in his post-match remarks:

“Don’t nick the part-time off-spinner. Down the slope. I’m still trying to fathom how I’ve done that,” Smith joked.

On the pitch conditions, he added:

“It’s pretty dry. It might take more spin as the game wears on. The bounce is already variable, and we could see more of that as the match progresses.”

Rabada Fires Back, Australia Hits with the Ball

Kagiso Rabada led South Africa’s attack with a fiery 5 for 51, decimating Australia’s lower middle order. Marco Jansen chipped in with 3 wickets.

However, Australia responded strongly with the ball. Mitchell Starc (2/10), Josh Hazlewood (1/10), and Pat Cummins (1/14) reduced South Africa to 43/4 at stumps. They now trail Australia by 169 runs, with captain Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham at the crease.