Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Steve Smith Sets Test Record for Most Catches by Fielder
Steve Smith caught a ball during a Test cricket match in Durban.
That catch brought his total to 221 catches as a fielder in Test matches.
This is one more than Joe Root had caught.
Smith's catch sent South Africa's David Bedingham out when he had scored 49 runs.
Smith had also caught Temba Bavuma earlier that day.
Rahul Dravid is third on the list with 210 catches.
The match was the first Test between South Africa and Australia.
Steve Smith became the leading fielder for catches in Test cricket with 221.
He surpassed Joe Root, who held the previous record with 220 catches.
Smith reached the milestone on Day 3 of the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban.
His record-breaking catch dismissed South Africa's David Bedingham off Pat Cummins; Bedingham had scored 49.
The article lists Rahul Dravid third with 210 catches, followed by Mahela Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting.
- Who
- Steve Smith, playing for Australia, and South Africa batter David Bedingham.
- What
- Smith set the record for most catches by a fielder in Test cricket, reaching 221 and passing Joe Root's 220.
- When
- Day 3 of the first Test; the article does not state the date.
- Where
- Durban, during the first Test between South Africa and Australia.
- Why
- Smith took a catch off Pat Cummins to dismiss Bedingham, bringing his career tally to 221.
Previous Record Holder
New Record Holder
Most Test catches by a fielder
Previous Record Holder
Joe Root previously held the record with 220 catches.
New Record Holder
Steve Smith passed Root by reaching 221 catches.
- Smith's Test catches
- 221
- Previous record
- Joe Root, 220 catches
- Record-setting match
- First Test between South Africa and Australia
- Milestone day
- Day 3
- Location
- Durban
- Batter dismissed
- David Bedingham, on 49
- Bowler
- Pat Cummins
- Third on the list
- Rahul Dravid, 210 catches