Most catches by a fielder in Test cricket: Can Steve Smith break Joe Root’s record during the Bangladesh series?

Most catches by a fielder in Test cricket: Can Steve Smith break Joe Root’s record during the Bangladesh series? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• History beckons Australia's Steve Smith.
• The Australian is just one short of displacing England's Joe Root for most Test catches by a fielder.
• Smith has a chance to complete it on day two in Darwin in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh.

MORE:Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test Live scorecard and commentary

Steve Smith nearing historic Test record at Darwin

Steve Smith has been the lone warrior for an Aussie side that has looked totally out of its depth against the visiting Bangladesh. The former skipper was the sole batter to cross 50 in the first innings before getting dismissed for 71 by Hassan Mahmud.

The bowler was a surprise for the hosts, who saw their entire batting order being dismissed for nothing, including the wickets of captain Pat Cummins and danger man Travis Head. 

But for Smith, he was busy matching Joe Root for the record of the most catches by a fielder. Smith started the innings trailing by just three catches at 215 behind Root's 218.

A string of quick wickets meant that Smith quickly took three catches at the second slip to send Najmul Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das to the dressing room.

MORE:'I was lucky': Steve Smith admits to nicking Hasan Mahmud's delivery which was given not out on Day 1 of 1st Test

Can Smith break the record during this home series?

Bangladesh are 324/6 in the final session of day two, and Smith just needs one more catch to break Root's record. There's still a minimum of 19 overs to be bowled, which gives him plenty of room to try to dismiss the Bangladeshi tail end.

With the new ball nowhere in sight for the rest of Bangladesh's remaining time on the crease, Smith would hope that Nathan Lyon brings some more of that spin magic to the crease.

Mehidy Hasan and Hasan Mahmud, however, look adamant to end the day unbeaten.

MORE:How to watch AUS vs BAN Test series 2026 live: Start time, TV channels and streaming details

Top 10 fielders with most catches in Test historyPlayerSpanMatInnsCatchesJoe Root (ENG)2012-2026166317218Steve Smith (AUS)2010-2026124236218*Rahul Dravid (ICC/IND)1996-2012164301210Mahela Jayawardene (SL)1997-2014149270205Jacques Kallis (ICC/SA)1995-2013166315200Ricky Ponting (AUS)1995-2012168328196Mark Waugh (AUS)1991-2002128245181Alastair Cook (ENG)2006-2018161300175Stephen Fleming (NZ)1994-2008111199171Graeme Smith (ICC/SA)2002-2014117225169

Can Bangladesh deliver a long-awaited win at Darwin to build their morale? To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics, visit our Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.