Australia’s star batter Steve Smith has equalled the world record for the most catches in Test cricket. Smith took three catches on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, taking his career tally to 218 catches, level with England’s Joe Root.
Smith reached the milestone in his 124th Test, while Root has taken 218 catches in 166 matches. Former India captain Rahul Dravid is third on the list with 210 catches, followed by former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, who took 205 catches in 149 Tests. Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is fifth with 200 catches in 166 Tests. Smith and Root will now continue their battle for the record for the most catches in Test cricket.
The first match of the two-Test series between Australia and Bangladesh is currently underway in Darwin, while England are set to begin a three-Test series against Pakistan on August 19.
On the other hand, Mitchell Starc and Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz were involved in a heated exchange during the Australia-Bangladesh Test in Darwin, with tensions rising after a dispute over Mehidy’s movement on the pitch.
The incident occurred in Starc’s 21st over when Mehidy attempted to take a run after playing a shot towards point. While running, he moved through the protected area of the pitch. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena immediately intervened and warned Mehidy against running on that part of the pitch, pointing out that Starc’s follow-through was also in that area.
Starc expressed his displeasure and asked Mehidy to stay away from the protected area and his follow-through path. Mehidy responded that he had not seen Starc. Starc then sarcastically remarked, “You’re not in Bangladesh now.” Mehidy explained that he had been watching the ball and therefore had not noticed Starc’s follow-through.