Steve Smith sets new Test record with four catches in Durban
Steve Smith broke the record for most Test catches by a fielder with four dismissals on day three in Durban.
Steve Smith set a new Test record for the most career catches by a fielder on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Sunday. The Australia captain held four catches to take his career total to 223, surpassing Joe Root's previous mark of 222.
South Africa were bowled out for 284 in their first innings after Australia posted 390. Pat Cummins took three for 54 while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets each.
Nic Maddinson and Travis Head extended Australia's lead to 139 with an unbroken 33-run stand before bad light ended play for the third consecutive day.
CricHubb Take
Smith's record underscores how slip fielding remains a specialist skill that outlasts batting peaks, even as the modern game rewards batters who rarely stand in the cordon.