Smith and Labuschagne put Australia in box seat

Steve Smith conquered ed his short-ball issues to hit his first half-century of the summer and help Australia to 4-257 on Boxing Day against New Zealand.

Smith went to stumps unbeaten on 77 after a gripping day of Test cricket, with Australia claiming the honours in front of a bumper crowd of 80,473 after being sent in to bat.

The right-hander took himself into the top 10 of all-time Australian run-scorers, having played less Tests than all above him.

After a low-key opening half of the Test summer, he returned to his best as he played with great control.

Out to bumpers and NZ’S legside field twice in Perth, Smith wore several balls on the body and ducked his way out of others at the MCG.

He rarely pulled the quicks and when he did he hit them along the ground. If Smith reaches triple figures today, he will become the first player to score centuries straight Tests at the MCG.

Travis Head will start day two on 25 not out. It came after Marnus Labuschagne chalked up a half-century for the fifth innings in a row, before being bowled for 63.

His 83-run, third-wicket partnership with Smith was crucial after Australia found themselves in dangerous waters early as the Kiwis grabbed two wickets before lunch.

Labuschagne was unfortunate in his dismissal, hit on the elbow by a ball from Colin de Grandhmme (2-48) that hit the Aussie’s elbow and ricocheted on to his off stump.

Trent Boult (1-60) produced an absolute peach to bowl Joe Burns for a golden duck in the first over, and David Warner (41) edged Neil Wagner (1-40) in the opening session, with Tim Southee taking a onehanded stunner at second slip.

Scott Bailey in five