WTC 2025 Final: Steve Smith surpasses Sobers, Sir Don Bradman to script history at Lord’s

The Australian legend Steve Smith carved his name in the record books on Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final 2025 (WTC) against South Africa at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Despite Australia losing early wickets, Smith stood tall, providing the needed stability to the innings.

The right-handed batter reached his half-century in the second session, elegantly driving through the covers to bring up his fifty. This knock added to his impressive record at Lord’s, taking his total tally at the venue to 591 runs, the highest by any overseas batter in Test matches at the ground. With this feat, Smith surpassed legends like Warren Bardsley, Sir Garfield Sobers, and the great Sir Don Bradman.

Steve Smith’s steady knock of 66 came to an end when part-time spinner Aiden Markram dismissed him, offering South Africa a crucial breakthrough. His dismissal shifted the momentum, and the Proteas capitalised by bowling out Australia for just 212 runs. Kagiso Rabada claimed a five-wicket haul, while Marco Jansen chipped in with three wickets, which tightened the Proteas’ grip on the game.

Beau Webster was the top scorer for Australia with a composed 72. In response, Australia struck early with the ball, picking up two wickets in the third session of the day.

Steve Smith has now scored 591 runs in 10 innings at Lord’s, making him the highest run-scorer among overseas batters in Test matches at the historic venue. He surpassed former Australian great Warren Bardsley, who scored 575 runs in just seven innings. After them are West Indies legend Garfield Sobers with 571 runs and Sir Don Bradman with 551 runs. The Guyana-born cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who accumulated 512 runs at Lord’s during his illustrious career, stood in fifth.

Most runs at Lord's Test by a visitor