# Steve Smith passes Joe Root for most Test catches by a fielder as Australia skittle South Africa in Durban

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/steve-smith-passes-joe-root-for-most-test-catches-by-a-fielder-as-australia)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 11 Oct 2026
Updated: 11 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 11 Oct 2026

> Three slip catches on day three, two of them off reverse sweeps, took Smith past Root. South Africa were 272 for 9, still 118 behind Australia's 390.

**Steve Smith now holds the record for the most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper**, passing England's **Joe Root** with three catches at slip on day three of the first Test against South Africa at **Kingsmead, Durban**, on **Sunday 11 October 2026**, [ESPNcricinfo reported](https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1557960.html). Business Recorder also reported the record.

## The three catches

- **Temba Bavuma:** the South Africa captain played a reverse sweep off **Nathan Lyon**, and Smith, already moving, took it at slip.
- **David Bedingham:** a diving catch across first slip, Smith's **221st in Tests**, ended Bedingham's innings on 49, the top score of the innings.
- **Kyle Verreynne:** another reverse sweep off Lyon, and Smith pulled off a one-handed catch that ESPNcricinfo called outrageous.

The lesson for batters, as one photo caption put it: do not reverse sweep when Smith is at slip.

## Where the Test stands

Australia made **390**, built on **Matt Renshaw's 190**. South Africa started day three at 27 for 1 on a pitch that had flattened out, and Aiden Markram (37) and Bedingham added 84 for the second wicket. Then they lost wickets in clusters. **Pat Cummins** took 3 for 54 at speeds above 140 kph, and every one of Australia's four frontline bowlers took a wicket. A late stand between **Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer** held Australia up, but by the evening South Africa were **272 for 9 after 75.2 overs, 118 runs behind**, ESPNcricinfo's live scorecard showed.

Australia now look set for a big first-innings lead with two days left, which puts them in control of the first of the series' Tests.

## Why it matters to Pakistan fans

Root and Smith have been the two batting greats of this era, and both have scored heavily against Pakistan. Pakistan's own leader on the list, **Younis Khan**, finished his career with 139 Test catches. Smith and Australia also count in the **World Test Championship** table that Pakistan are chasing, alongside their home Tests against Sri Lanka in November ([schedule](/news/cricket/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-2026-schedule-results)).

Live scores from Durban and tonight's Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I are in our [match centre](/cricket-today).

## Frequently asked questions

**Who has the most Test catches as a fielder?**

Steve Smith of Australia, who passed England's Joe Root on 11 October 2026 during the first Test against South Africa in Durban. The record excludes wicketkeepers.

## Sources

- Cummins, Lyon set Australia up for big lead (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1557960.html
- South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live score (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-south-africa-2026-27-1525634/south-africa-vs-australia-1st-test-1525659/live-cricket-score
- Smith sets new catching record as Australia take firm grip on Test (Business Recorder): https://www.brecorder.com/news/40443687/smith-sets-new-catching-record-as-australia-take-firm-grip-on-test

How to cite: "Steve Smith passes Joe Root for most Test catches by a fielder as Australia skittle South Africa in Durban", Searchable, 11 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/steve-smith-passes-joe-root-for-most-test-catches-by-a-fielder-as-australia