Steve Smith breaks world record

Australian star batter Steve Smith has reclaimed the world record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket history, surpassing England’s Joe Root during the Durban Test against South Africa.

Root had previously broken the record in August during the Headingley Test against Pakistan, edging past Smith. However, Smith reclaimed the top spot on Sunday (October 11) at Kingsmaid by taking four catches during South Africa's first innings.

Smith entered the match with 219 catches to his name. He equaled Root's tally after holding on to a chance at slip to dismiss Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma, before claiming the outright world record by taking the catch of David Bedingham.

The 37-year-old went on to pouch two more catches—first dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne and then taking the final catch of Anrich Nortje. The catch off Nortje wrapped up South Africa’s first innings for 284 runs, leaving Smith at the top of the all-time fielding leaderboard with 222 Test catches—a tally he could extend further in the second innings.

-SA