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

On the first day of the World Test Championship Final 2025 (WTC) versus South Africa at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Australian legend Steve Smith made history. Despite Australia’s early wicket losses, Smith remained tall, providing the innings with much-needed solidity.

The right-handed batter hit his half-century mark in the second session, driving between the covers with elegance. This knock contributed to his outstanding record at Lord’s, bringing his total at the venue to 591 runs, the most by any overseas batsman in Test matches there.

With this accomplishment, Steve Smith overtook legends such as Warren Bardsley, Sir Garfield Sobers, and Sir Don Bradman.

Steve Smith’s consistent innings of 66 came to an end when part-time spinner Aiden Markram removed him, giving South Africa a significant breakthrough. His removal swung the tempo, and the Proteas took advantage by bowling Australia out for just 212 runs. Kagiso Rabada took five wickets, while Marco Jansen added three, tightening the Proteas’ grip on the game.

Beau Webster was Australia’s leading scorer with a composed 72. In response, Australia struck early with the ball, taking two wickets in the third session of the day.

Steve Smith has now hit 591 runs in 10 innings at Lord’s, making him the leading run-scorer among overseas batters in Test matches at the historic ground. He topped former Australian great Warren Bardsley, who scored 575 runs in only seven innings. Following them are West Indies icon Garfield Sobers (571 runs) and Sir Don Bradman (551 runs). Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the Guyana-born cricketer who scored 512 runs at Lord’s during his brilliant career, finished sixth.

Most runs at Lord’s Test by a visitor