### Historic Achievement: Steve Smith Shatters Long-Standing Records in WTC Final Steve Smith has made headlines in the cricketing world by achieving remarkable feats during the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's. His performance not only helped Australia recover from a precarious position but also allowed him to surpass records that had stood for nearly a century. Smith's innings included a significant 66 runs, which contributed to Australia's total of 212 after a shaky start, and he became the first non-English batter to achieve this milestone at Lord's in 99 years [https://www.india.com/sports/steve-smith-scripts-history-becomes-first-non-english-batter-to-achieve-this-feat-in-99-years-7877488]. ### Breakdown of Smith's Achievements and Impact 1. **Record-Breaking Performance**: - Smith scored 66 runs, surpassing Don Bradman's record for the most runs by an overseas batter at Lord's [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/uk/australia-vs-south-africa-steve-smith-goes-past-don-bradman-for-this-100-year-old-record-at-lords/articleshow/121790345.cms]. - He also broke Sachin Tendulkar's record for the highest number of runs in ICC knockout matches, solidifying his status as a clutch player [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/wtc-final-smith-beats-tendulkars-record-in-high-stakes-icc-games/20250611.htm]. 2. **Match Context**: - Australia faced early setbacks, losing several wickets, but Smith's innings was crucial in stabilizing the team [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/steve-smith-breaks-records-of-don-bradman-and-sachin-tendulkar/articleshow/121791260.cms]. - The team was eventually bowled out for 212, with Kagiso Rabada taking five wickets [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/steve-smith-breaks-records-of-don-bradman-and-sachin-tendulkar/printarticle/121791260.cms]. 3. **Historical Significance**: - Smith's achievement marks a significant moment in cricket history, as he became the first non-English player to hold such a record at Lord's in 99 years [https://www.india.com/sports/steve-smith-scripts-history-becomes-first-non-english-batter-to-achieve-this-feat-in-99-years-7877488]. - His performance is a testament to his skill and resilience, further enhancing his legacy in the sport [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3455731-steve-smith-sets-record-as-top-overseas-scorer-at-lords]. ### Supporting Data and Records - **Key Statistics**: - **Runs Scored**: 66 runs in the WTC final. - **Total Runs at Lord's**: Surpassed Don Bradman's record for overseas players. - **ICC Knockout Matches**: Overtook Sachin Tendulkar for the most fifty-plus scores [https://www.takeonedigitalnetwork.com/wtc-final-steve-smith-overtakes-tendulkar-to-reach-closer-to-virat-kohlis-icc-knockout-matches-record]. ### Conclusion: Smith's Legacy Continues to Grow In summary, **Steve Smith's performance in the WTC final not only helped Australia recover from a difficult position but also established him as a record-breaking player in cricket history**. His achievements include: 1. Surpassing Don Bradman's long-standing record at Lord's. 2. Breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for ICC knockout matches. 3. Contributing significantly to Australia's total in a high-pressure match. These milestones reinforce Smith's reputation as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket, particularly in crucial matches [https://www.india.com/sports/steve-smith-creates-history-at-lords-surpasses-legendary-cricketer-to-become-gary-sobers-7877369].