Epic Steve Smith ton puts Australia on top on day two against India
|
Version 0 of 1. Steve Smith’s domination of India reached new heights as Australia took control of the Boxing Day Test on day two. Smith’s remarkable run continued on Saturday, when the 25-year-old compiled a career-high 192 to essentially bat the tourists out of the MCG contest. India were 108-1 at stumps in response to Australia’s total of 530, with Smith claiming a low catch at second slip to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan. Murali Vijay showed some fight with the bat to close on 55 not out, but his teammates offered none in the two preceding sessions. As a result the hosts have one hand on the Border-Gavaskar trophy, given India need a win in Melbourne to keep the four-Test series alive. That looks an unlikely outcome following Smith’s third century in this series, adding to the 133 he scored at the Gabba and 162 not out at Adelaide Oval earlier this month. The tons in Brisbane and Melbourne came in his first two Tests as captain - no other Australian has achieved the feat. Support acts Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris were all thoroughly entertaining, especially Harris who belted his highest Test score of 74 from 88 balls. “They were terrific. They’ve come out and taken the bowlers on,” Smith said of the key partnerships he formed with Johnson, Harris and Nathan Lyon. “I don’t think they (India) really had an answer for the way they were playing. It’s great for us that the tail can come out and do that and be really aggressive.” But it was Smith who rocked the crowd of 51,566. Australia resumed on 259-5 with the game in the balance and Smith on 72. The right-hander became the 13th Australian to score centuries in three consecutive Tests shortly after the morning drinks break. Smith was in much discomfort after being hit on the box by Umesh Yadav in the 104th over, but composed himself to make it 567 runs in the four-Test series. He continued to score freely after lunch, with India captain MS Dhoni keeping the field back and gifting easy singles. When Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Harris lbw, it was Smith’s turn to swing freely and up the run-rate. Smith danced down the wicket and lofted a six into the crowd off Ashwin to pass his highest Test score. Reverse-sweeps and audacious cross-batted swipes followed from Smith, who destroyed India’s hopes of rolling Australia cheaply after having them 216-5 on day one. “I was going to declare at tea, so we were just trying to get as many runs as we could before then,” he said. “It was pretty fun ... it was nice to be able to play a few shots.” Haddin struck the first blows on Saturday, making a mockery of India’s bouncer barrage. Unbeaten overnight on 23, Haddin needed five overs to turn that into a half-century, smacking six boundaries along the way. India failed to kick on after snapping the 110-run partnership between Haddin and Smith, mucking up a run-out opportunity when Johnson was on one with the score at 6-331. But Ashwin hadn’t given up hope of a miraculous victory. “We’ll make 650 and try to put them back in,” he said. Aside from Haddin dropping a catch when Cheteshwar Pujara was on 12, Australia’s most pressing concern was a blow to the forearm suffered by David Warner in the nets. Warner, who overcame a thumb injury to play in Melbourne, was unable to field on Saturday due to significant bruising but it is hoped he’ll be able to field on day three. “Hopefully Davey’s alright in the morning. He’s copped a hit in the nets today and he’s got a bit of a bruised arm,” Smith said. “He was struggling to clench his fist. “Hopefully he has a good sleep and feels better in the morning so he can come out and field.” |