Bibhash Lodh BS News Agency: Australian star batsman Steve Smith has surpassed England's Joe Root to hold the record for most catches in Test cricket. Smith took three catches on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. With this, his total number of catches in his Test career stood at 218. This brought him to the same place as Root. Smith reached this milestone in his 124th Test match. On the other hand, Root reached the milestone of 218 catches in 166 Tests. In other words, although the number of catches is the same, Smith has reached this place in much fewer matches.
Although Smith could have made this record his own today. Taskin Ahmed threw the ball into the air. He could not take that loppa catch. The ball slipped out of his hand. So Smith has to be satisfied with touching the record. Meanwhile, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid is at number three on this list. His number of catches is 210. Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is at number four. He has taken 205 catches in 149 Tests. Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is at number five. He has taken 200 catches in 166 Tests. The battle between Smith and Root for the record of most catches is still going on. The first of the two-Test series between Bangladesh and Australia is currently underway in Darwin. Meanwhile, England will play Pakistan in the first match of the series at Headingley.