Most Test Centuries As Captain, Steve Smith Gains On Top Three With 17th Ton

Key Points

Scores his 36^th Test century
In partnership with Alex Carey puts together a 200-run partnership
36^th century ties him with Joe Root and Rahul Dravid
Achieves his 197^th Test catch, setting a new Australian record

ISLAMABAD: Australian captain Steve Smith scored his 36^th Test century on Friday—day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Galle—inching closer to several cricketing greats.

Stepping in for Pat Cummins, Smith not only showcased his prowess with the bat by marking his second consecutive hundred of the series, but also finishing the day not out at a solid 120. He forged a formidable partnership with Alex Carey, whose century made him just the second Australian wicketkeeper-batter to achieve this feat in Asia, as they put together a mammoth double-hundred stand.

With this century, Smith has now equalled Joe Root and Rahul Dravid on the prestigious list of Test centuries. He stands just behind Kumar Sangakkara (38), Ricky Ponting (41), Jacques Kallis (45), and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar (51). Notably, this was Smith’s 17^th century away from home—an Australian record in Test cricket when excluding matches played on neutral grounds.

As he continues to ascend the ranks, Smith now sits fourth among captains with the most Test centuries, inching closer to the top three: Graeme Smith, Virat Kohli, and Ricky Ponting. With 17 centuries as a skipper, he is poised to challenge Ponting’s Australian record of 19 and is also in striking distance of Kohli, who has notched up 20 hundreds in his captaincy tenure.

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However, surpassing Graeme Smith’s remarkable record of 25 Test centuries as captain will require exceptional effort. Currently enjoying a resurgence in form, Smith has made the most of his opportunities since adjusting his technique during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, registering four centuries in his last five Tests.

On the first day of the match, Smith also achieved a personal milestone by claiming his 197^th catch in Test cricket, setting a new Australian record. The all-time record for catches is still held by the great Rahul Dravid, who amassed 210.

Most Test hundreds as captain

Player Team Career Span Hundreds

Graeme Smith South Africa 2003-2014 25

Virat Kohli India 2014-2022 20

Ricky Ponting Australia 2004-2010 19

Steve Smith Australia 2014-2025 17

Allan Border Australia 1984-1994 15

Steve Waugh Australia 1999-2004 15

Don Bradman Australia 1936-1948 14

Michael Clarke Australia 2011-2015 14