Smith’s six in the 19th over at Kingsmead was the moment that shifted the narrative. With 10,927 runs on the board, Waugh’s record loomed over the Australian camp; the single boundary nudged Smith past that figure, giving him 10,945 runs in 224 innings.
The milestone is a chapter in a long history: only Ricky Ponting (13,378) and Allan Border (11,174) sit ahead of him. Smith’s tally of 10,945 puts him just 55 runs away from the coveted 11,000‑run club and 230 runs away from surpassing Border for second place.
The 19th over also served as a reminder of the series’ stakes. Australia needs to amass those 230 runs over the remaining three matches to cement the legacy. The opening day’s 187/6 in Durban was already a test of resilience after the earlier opener misfire, but the middle order’s solidity gave the team a platform.
With the first Test behind them, the focus now shifts to the next fixture against South Africa. The hosts, champions after last year’s final, will be keen to test Smith’s new status and the Australian squad’s depth.