Smith runs out of partners
Steve Smith’s first test century on home soil in three years has the third test hanging in the balance, with India 2-96 after day two in reply to Australia’s 338.
With the four-match series tied at 1-1, Smith watched wickets tumble around him as he broke his century drought with an almost chanceless 131 at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
Pat Cummins then bowled superbly late to finish with 1-19 as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane battled to stumps.
The Australian quick removed Shubman Gill at gully for 50, just as the classy young opener looked set to put India in the box seat.
Josh Hazlewood other scalp, taking (1-23) claimed a low caught the and bowled to remove Rohit Sharma for 26.
Pujara was lucky to survive an lbw review on three when he padded up to Nathan Lyon, as India scored just 12 runs from the final 15 overs of the day.
But yesterday belonged to Smith, whose century marked his first test ton in Australia since the ball-tampering scandal and his first anywhere in 16 months.
The former captain celebrated his 27th hundred in passionate style, twice thrusting his bat in the air.
Smith made a point of playing more positively after being dismissed cheaply on the first two tests, driving gloriously down the ground throughout his knock.
The 31-year-old then took that to extremes late, with his last 27 runs coming from 14 balls before a superb Ravindra Jadeja direct hit ran him out and ended Australia’s innings.
Smith’s century helped Australia to their biggest score of the summer so far, as the hosts went past 200 for the first time this series.
But coach Justin Langer will still feel frustrated as no batsmen below him could stick around long as Jadeja claimed 4-62 and Jasprit Bumrah 2-66.
Australia were at one stage 206-2 off the back of debutant Will Pucovski’s 62 when Marnus Labuschagne was caught at first slip on 91. Labuschagne barely looked troubled before Jadeja got his edge, bringing to an end a 100-run stand with Smith.
It kick started a collapse of 5-72, which included a loose shot from Matt Wade on 13 when he jumped down the deck to Jadeja and got a leading edge.
Cameron Green (0) and Tim Paine (1) both fell to Bumrah inswingers, before Pat Cummins was also bowled for Jadeja for a duck.
A win for India in Sydney would be enough for them to retain the BorderGavaskar Trophy.