Steve Smith names potential successors to his 10,000 runs feat
What's the story
Steve Smith, who just surpassed the 10,000 Test runs mark, named Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, and Sam Konstas as potential future achievers.
Notably, Smith reached this milestone in his 115th Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle.
He is only the 15th player globally to reach the mark in men's Test cricket and the fourth Australian batter to do so.
Here's what the batter had to say.
Milestone
Smith's journey to 10,000 Test runs
Notably, Smith crossed the 10,000-run mark which is the second-fastest (205 innings) among Aussie batters after Ricky Ponting's 196 innings.
Overall, Smith is only behind India's Sachin Tendulkar, West Indies' Brain Lara, Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (195 innings each), besides Ponting.
This is better than fellow Aussies Steve Waugh's record of reaching the milestone in 244 innings and Allan Border's record of doing so in 235 innings.
Difficulties
Smith highlights challenges in scoring big runs
Smith has emphasized that scoring big runs has become increasingly difficult due to changing pitch conditions.
He observed that it's now tougher for batsmen to score big in Australia as conditions have become more bowler-friendly.
"The stats suggest that all batting averages in Australia are coming down, and bowling averages are also declining," Smith told The Sunday Morning Herald.
He further added, "These wickets we've played on over the last three years have been tough, particularly for top-order players."
Statement
Smith reveals Head, Labuschagne, and Konstas as potential future achievers
When Smith was asked about his thoughts on who would be the next Aussie batter to achieve the 10,000 Test runs milestone, he stated, "It's a good question. I think there's a few people that can certainly tick it off."
"Marnus (Labuschagne) is about halfway there. Travis (Head) potentially. (Sam) Konstas is 19 and he could play, for a long, long time potentially."
Notably, Labuschagne has amassed 4,386 runs, while Head has raced to 3,735 runs.
Century
Steve Smith slams his 35th century in Test cricket
Smith hit his 35th century in Test cricket on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Notably, Smith got to his ton off 179 balls.
The batter, who arrived at the crease when his side was 135/2, ended his stellar innings with a 141-run knock (141 off 251 balls).
The star batter steered clear of Younis Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene in terms of Test tons (34 each).
Match status
Australian batters demolish SL with two centuries and a double-century
The Steve Smith-led side ended Day 1 on 330/2, in 81.1 overs before rain and bad light stopped play.
Meanwhile, the hosts' onslaught was started by Travis Head who smashed 57 off 40 balls.
It continued, with opener Usman Khawaja smashing a stellar double-century (232 off 352 balls), in addition to Smith's knock.
Notably, debutant Josh Inglis smashed his maiden Test century (102 off 94 balls). Currently, after 150.1 overs Australia are 632/6.