“The back of Josh Hazlewood’s shirt” - Steve Smith’s hilarious take on missing out on 10,000-run mark in BGT 2024-25

Australia batter Steve Smith recently said he was overthinking the prospect of reaching the 10,000-run milestone during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test against India in Sydney. He hilariously mentioned thinking about Josh Hazlewood's jersey number (38) at night since it was the number of runs Smith needed to complete 10,000 Test runs heading into the series finale.

Starting the Sydney Test on 9,962 runs, the veteran batter was dismissed for 33 in the first innings. Smith scored four in the second innings before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna for a second time in the match to remain on 9,999 Test runs.

Talking about the build-up to the Sydney Test and his 10,000-run milestone, Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast:

"I don't read too much into stats and stuff, but, 10,000 is a bit of a different beast. It probably was (on my mind), to be honest. Normally, I sort of don't buy into any of that stuff, but pre-game, I was doing lots of media because I was approaching that mark. I knew I needed 38, and all I could actually picture trying to sleep at night was the back of Josh Hazlewood's shirt because he's number 38 (laughs)."

He added:

"It’s strange like that, isn't it? It was probably playing on my mind more than any other game that I've played, to be honest. But, it is what it is, fortunately, we were able to win that game in the end, so it didn't really matter."

Despite Smith totaling only 37 runs across the two innings, Australia completed a six-wicket victory in Sydney to take the series by a 3-1 margin.

"I’d love to tick it off on the first day in Galle" - Steve Smith on 10,000 Test runs

Steve Smith said he wanted to reach the 10,000-run mark as early as the opening day of the first Test in the upcoming Sri Lanka series.

The 35-year-old will become only the 15th batter and the fourth Australian in Test history to reach 10,000 runs as and when he gets the next run.

"It's pretty special. I’d love to tick it off on the first day in Galle. It would have been great to have been able to do it in Sydney in front of all my friends and family because you’re joining a pretty elite group there I suppose, but it wasn’t to be," Smith said in the same interview.

He added:

"As a kid, I never would have dreamt of that, I dreamt to play cricket for Australia and have a career playing for Australia, but to have been able to get to this mark, it's a dream come true in a way."

Smith boasts an incredible Test record with an average of almost 56, including 34 centuries, in 114 matches.

Meanwhile, Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka begins with the first Test in Galle, starting January 29.