Steve Smith breaks this unique record of Ricky Ponting (Tests)
What's the story
Steve Smith, the stand-in captain of the Australian cricket team, has created a new record in Test cricket.
He has now taken more catches than any other Australian player in the longest format.
Smith achieved the feat during the second Test match against Sri Lanka.
Smith's record-breaking performance saw him surpass former captain Ricky Ponting's tally of 196 catches.
Ponting too 196 catches across 328 innings (168 matches). Smith has 197 catches in 220 innings (116 matches), as per ESPNcricinfo.
Record details
Smith's record-breaking catches in 2nd Test
Smith's record-breaking moment arrived when he caught Kamindu Mendis off Nathan Lyon's bowling, sending the Sri Lankan batter back to the pavilion for a mere 13 runs.
He took a low catch to dismiss Prabath Jayasuriya for a duck, giving Mitchell Starc his third wicket of the match.
With these two catches, Smith's tally reached an impressive 197 in Test cricket for Australia.
Fitness factor
Smith's fitness and fielding prowess
Smith's record is a testimony to his brilliant fielding and fitness, even in his late 30s.
His agility on the field has been a major weapon for the Australian team throughout his career.
This milestone adds to an already successful Sri Lanka tour, where Australia, led by Smith, won the first Test by an innings and 242 runs.
Notably, Smith smashed his 35th Test ton and also completed 10,000 Test runs during Australia's first Test triumph.
Match update
Australia dominate Day 1 of 2nd Test
In the ongoing second Test, Australia seized control after being sent to field first.
The visitors delivered an exceptional bowling performance, taking nine wickets on Day 1 and restricting Sri Lanka to 229 for nine.
Starc and Lyon claimed three wickets each, while Matthew Kuhnemann took two.
Travis Head also chipped in with one wicket for the team.
Day 1 recap
Australia put SL on the back foot after Day 1
Australia's versatile bowling attack, under stand-in captain Smith, has left Sri Lanka in a difficult position on the first day of the second Test.
The dry pitch in Galle is already taking a lot of turn.
After a promising start at 93 for 1, Sri Lanka lost four wickets for a mere 34 runs, leaving them at a precarious 144 for 5 at tea.
Thereafter, they lost 4 more wickets to end Day 1 at 229/9.