Smith in top form ahead of first India test
Captaincy is clearly agreeing with Steve Smith. Likewise Virat Kohli. Smith couldn’t have made a more emphatic statement in his first hit on Australia’s tour of India. The skipper retired on 107 during day one of the tourists’ three-day clash with India A in Mumbai. The pitch in Pune, where the four-test series starts on Friday, won’t be nearly as friendly. India A’s attack was also nowhere near as potent as that boasted by the topranked test side. But it was the reassuring knock that Smith’s side so dearly needed, having slipped to 2-55 in their only tune-up for test cricket’s mission improbable.