Steve Smith Equals Dravid With Trio Of Clean Takes

Australia’s day moved in steady bursts, sometimes quiet, sometimes crackling, and Steve Smith sat right in the middle of it. Three chances came his way, and all stayed in his hands. That was enough to pull him alongside Rahul Dravid at 210 catches, a number that sits heavy in Test match tradition.

England were rolled for 241, yet the score only told half the story. Smith’s presence in the ring shaped the other half. His first take, a sharp, low grab to remove Will Jacks, had teammates yelling even before he hit the turf. To be fair, Jacks looked stunned, no doubt about it.

A Record Tied, And A New One Set

Smith soon drifted to mid-wicket and plucked Gus Atkinson’s mistimed flick with the ease of someone pulling an apple off a tree. Later, he closed out the innings by holding Brydon Carse’s skier. Three different angles and three different moments of grabbing the catches. 

Those grabs not only tied him with Dravid but also pushed him past Greg Chappell for the most catches at home against a single opponent; thirty-nine against England now. 

Australia’s slip cordon usually draws attention, yet Smith continues to anchor it. You could feel the tension building each time a ball dipped his way.

Most Catches By A Fielder In Tests

• (213)* Joe Root
• (210)* – Steve Smith
• (210) – Rahul Dravid
• (205) – Mahela Jayawardene

Australia Take Control Of The Ashes

Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser’s five-wicket haul split the rest of England’s hopes. Gasps echoed through the stands whenever the seamers straightened one. England had one bright spot in Joe Root’s unbeaten 138, but beyond that, the visitors fought uphill all evening.

Chasing a token 65, Australia finished the job in 10 overs. Smith punched 23 from nine balls, mixing two fours and two sixes with the calm of someone strolling through a Sunday warm-up.

Australia pulled ahead in every phase, widening the series margin to 2–0. England’s only real comfort came from Joe Root, whose composed 138 not out stood alone amid a shaky first innings.