Live Update: Nathan Lyon is “extremely grateful” for Steve Smith’s record failures. Steve Smith overtook Joe Root to become the highest catcher in Test cricket history as a non-wicketkeeper, reaching 221 catches on 11 October 2026 at Kingsmead, Durban.
Nathan Lyon ‘extremely grateful’ for Steve Smith’s record catch (Photo source: ) Steve Smith set a new Test cricket record for non-wicket-keeper on October 11, 2026, taking his 221st catch on the third day of the first Test between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead, Durban. This milestone allowed him to overtake Englishman Joe Root, who held the previous record of 220 catches. The record-breaking moment came when Smith caught Pat Cummins and sent off David Bedingham.
Earlier on the same day, Smith had already picked out Temba Bavuma off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. He then made four catches on the day, also accounting for Kyle Verreynne and Anrich Nortje, highlighting his enduring value in the slip cordon. Smith’s performance clearly sets him art from the rest of the all-time list of non-wicket-keeping defensive players in Tests.
Rahul Dravid is third with 210 catches, Mahela Jayawardene fourth with 205 and Jacques Kallis fifth with 200. What did Nathan Lyon say about Smith’s record? Lyon was one of the main beneficiaries of Smith’s position in the slip cordon during their Test career together.
Smith took 65 catches off Lyon’s bowling, a figure that highlights how important their on-field partnership was to Australia’s success in the format. “I am extremely grateful for that. He is an incredible thinker of the game but the way he plans these kind of catches is bizarre,” Lyon said after the day’s match, quoted by Hindustan Times.
Lyon’s comments highlighted not only Smith’s reflexes, but also his ability to read the game and predict where the ball will go before it leaves the bat. What did Lyon say about his partnership with Smith? Lyon also reflected on the long-standing arrangement that saw Smith stationed at first slip or back-leg slip for much of his Test career, a position that allowed him to citalize on Lyon’s off-spin bowling.
The two have worked together in numerous home and away series for over a decade. “I was lucky that for most of my career he was able to withstand that slip in the first leg or that first leg,” Lyon said.
