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Steve Smith Surpasses Joe Root To Attain Special Captain's Milestone In Tests In Asia



Smith overtakes Joe Root [Source: AP Photo]
Smith overtakes Joe Root [Source: AP Photo]

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Steve Smith, the stand-in Australian captain showcased his class in the first Test Vs Sri Lanka at Galle and smacked his 35th Test century to push the home team on the back-foot. On a pitch which supported the spinners, Smith came out to bat with a positive frame of mind and took the Sri Lankan spinners out of the game.

With this century, he surpassed India great, Sunil Gavaskar and Pakistan's Younis Khan in terms of century records. Both Younis and Gavaskar had 34 Test tons and Smith surpassed both the legendary batters to reach the 35 ton milestone.

Also, he became the fifth fastest batter in Test history to slam 10,000 runs, a feat which he attained on Day 1 of the first Test match. Alongside Usman Khawaja, who also scored a terrific century, Smith added an unbeaten 195 runs for the third wicket as the home side were frustrated and the Day 1 honours went to the visiting Australian side.

Smith surpasses Joe Root's record

With his 35th Test ton, Smith also overtook England's Joe Root as the player with second most Test tons in Asian conditions as the visiting captain. Root has scored 4 centuries in 18 innings in Asia, while Smith, has 5 to his name in 22 innings.

Only Sir Alastair Cook, the former English captain has scored more Test tons (6) than Smith in Asian pitches as the visiting captain.

Rain spoiled the fun on Day 1

Australia reached 330/2 when rain god arrived and the players had to walk back to the pavilion. The rain department forecasted showers on Wednesday, and the weather doesn't look promising on Day 2, as light showers are predicted for Thursday as well.