Steve Smith surpasses Joe Root to become Test cricket's leading catcher

Steve Smith surpassed England's Joe Root to become the most prolific fielder in Test cricket on Day 3 of the first Test between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead in Durban when he caught David Bedingham off Pat Cummins. The catch moved Smith's tally to 221 Test catches, one clear of Root's 220.

Bedingham, batting on 49, edged a hard, back-of-a-length delivery towards first slip; Smith dived to his left and completed the catch, dismissing the South African one run short of a half-century. Earlier on Day 3 Smith had also taken a slip catch to remove South African captain Temba Bavuma off Nathan Lyon. Smith's 221 catches place him ahead of Rahul Dravid (210), Mahela Jayawardene (205), Jacques Kallis (200) and Ricky Ponting (196); Root had set the previous mark during the third Test against India at Lord's last year.

Smith's contribution with the bat in Australia's first innings was modest: he scored 25 off 53 deliveries, including two sixes, after arriving at the crease following an early setback for the visitors. He combined with Marnus Labuschagne for a 60-run partnership that helped steady the innings.

Marco Jansen ended Smith's innings shortly after lunch on Day 1 by bowling from around the wicket; the back-of-a-length delivery straightened after pitching, catching Smith off guard. Expecting the ball to angle into him, Smith was squared up and edged to gully, where Wiaan Mulder held a low catch.

Smith's dismissal left Australia 124 for six, but Matt Renshaw's 190 enabled the visitors to recover and post 390 in the first innings.

With Australia looking to strengthen their position in Durban, Smith will be eager to make amends with the bat in the second innings. Having already made history in the field, a substantial contribution with the bat would further boost Australia's prospects in the contest.