Smith runs out of partners at SCG

Steve Smith scored his first century since the 2019 Ashes series and helped cushion Australia from another batting collapse as they were all out for 338 on the second day of the third test at the SCG.

Smith’s 131 was Australia’s first century of the series and a vital innings in the context of the match, and possibly the series, as the hosts squandered the strong foundation laid by their top-order batsmen.

Having resumed yesterday at 166-2, Australia’s batting frailties were again exposed as they lost their final eight wickets for 130 runs as India’s bowlers, led by Ravi Jadeja’s 4-62, fought back.

At stumps, India were 96-2 to leave the match tantasingly poised as it enters the crucial third day.

Smith proved masterful and combined with Marnus Labuschagne to raise a century partnership in the morning session.

After Labuschagne (91) fell narrowly short of his fifth test century as part of a 100-run partnership with Smith, the latter took on the familiar role of leading Australia’s batting against a disciplined Indian bowling attack which rallied strongly.

Smith reached his 27th hundred in 76 tests with a leg glance for three runs off Navdeep Saini in the 98th over. The former captain was far more effusive in his celebration than usual, reflecting the relief at having scored his first century in 15 innings spanning four series.

It was Smith’s first century in Australia since December, 2017, in a drawn test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Smith’s eighth 100 against India came in 259 minutes off 201 balls, with 13 boundaries, and was the first against India in a home test since David Warner’s quickfire century at the SCG in 2015.

Earlier yesterday, Labuschagne made his 91 off 196 balls, and with Smith ensured Australia passed 200 runs for the first time in five innings this series, before he edged the impressive Jadeja to Ajinkya Rahane at slip.

Jadeja then had Matthew Wade (13) playing a poor shot to be caught in the deep, before Jasprit Bumrah (2-66) trapped Cameron Green lbw with the last ball before lunch.

After lunch, captain Tim Paine (1) and Pat Cummins (0) were both bowled

cheaply, leaving Australia at 278-7.

Mitchell Starc scored 24 off 30 balls, including two fours and a six, before holing out from debutant Saini (2-65). Nathan Lyon was also out for a duck, trapped by Jadeja to reduce the hosts to

315-9.

Smith’s was the last wicket to fall, run out spectacularly by Jadeja at deep square leg, as he was chasing quick runs with Josh Hazelwood.

– AAP

GETTY IMAGES Star Australian batsman Steve Smith is run out in the third test in Sydney but not before celebrating a return to form with a century, inset.

GETTY IMAGES Josh Hazlewood takes a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the final session of the second day.

AP India had plenty of reasons to smile as they fought back. Here, Ravindra Jadeja, right, is congratulated by Mohammed Siraj after his brilliant run out of Steve Smith.