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Boxing Day Test: Steve Smith Overtakes Matthew Hayden In Elite Run-Scoring List At MCG

Soumyajit Dutta∙ Updated: Dec 26 2024, 11:40 AM

Steve Smith goes past Matthew Hayden in most-runs-scored list at MCG [Source: @smudge_124/X.com]Steve Smith goes past Matthew Hayden in most-runs-scored list at MCG [Source: @smudge_124/X.com]

Things have spiced up in Melbourne on the first day of the fourth test. After Sam Konstas had India at the receiving end early, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne joined him to obliterate the Indian bowling lineup. Notably, Steve Smith, who has been doubted for his batting role and batting position in Tests, has surpassed Australian great Matthew Hayden in the most runs scored in Test matches at the MCG.

While Sir Don Bradman holds an impressive record with 1671 runs on the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch, Smithy surpassed Matthew Hayden, who scored 1141* runs at the MCG. With his latest performance against India, Smith has now accumulated a total of 1126 runs at the MCG.

Player
Matches
Runs
Donald Bradman111671
Ricky Ponting151338
Steve Waugh171284
Allan Border201272
Greg Chappell171257
Jack Hobbs101178
Steve Smith121141*
Matthew Hayden101103

If Smith manages to bag a ton in his inning, he will also surpass English legend Jack Hobbs, who has scored 1178 runs on MCG. 

Australia Strong Hold Shakes At Session 3

Things were not going well for India early on Day 1 of the first Test, as the Australian team was having the better of them. Australia reached 176/2 in 53 overs at tea. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were steadily accumulating runs after Jasprit Bumrah dismissed the in-form Usman Khawaja with his new spell.

Khawaja and Labuschagne, while not overly aggressive, played to their strengths, frustrating the Indian bowlers with a significant second-wicket partnership, after Konstas' dominance.

The Australian number three, Labuschagne, endured a testing period, however, he notched up a brave 72 off 145 before Washington Sundar sent him off. At the time of writing, Australia is a bit shaky, with Steve Smith is nearing his half-century with a solid 40+ score on the board while India quick Jasprit Bumrah cracked a hole in the Aussie lineup by dismissing the dangerous Travis Head for a duck and Mitchell Marsh for 4.