Smith finds answers to roll out test ton
Gabba test clouded by lockdown in Brisbane
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 before India reached 26 without loss at tea 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.
India’s openers then survived to tea unscathed with Shubman Gill on 14 and Rohit Sharma on 11.
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
Brisbane will enter a hard lockdown for at least three days, placing fresh doubt on whether the Gabba will host the fourth test.
A cleaner at a quarantine hotel in Brisbane has tested positive for the highly contagious UK variant of Covid-19, prompting the state government to take drastic action.
‘‘We are going to go hard and we are going to go early to do everything we can to stop the spread,’’ Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters, announcing restrictions that began 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. at 6pm yesterday.
‘‘This is incredibly serious. ‘‘We are declaring the Greater Brisbane area a hotspot and I’m also asking my colleagues from other jurisdictions to also declare Greater Brisbane a hotspot until we get through this together.’’
There had already been rampant speculation that India will refuse to travel to Brisbane for the final chapter of the four-test series, wanting to avoid the Queensland government’s strict biosecurity protocols.
The final test is slated to start on January 15.
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
Both squads are due to travel to Brisbane on Tuesday, the day after Brisbane’s stay-at-home restrictions are currently scheduled to end.
‘‘Still talking,’’ Palaszczuk said, when asked about the Gabba test yesterday.
‘‘Still positive talks at this stage.’’ The restrictions placed on residents this weekend will not be nearly as tight as those confronting Australia and India’s test squads, should they arrive in Brisbane as planned.
An overnight report from Press Trust of India suggested a top executive from India’s cricket board
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 had written to Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings, seeking a relaxation of hard quarantine for its players in Brisbane.
‘‘The BCCI’s demand is simple. The players want to mingle with each other inside the hotel bio-bubble like they did in the IPL,’’ the unnamed official was reported as saying.
‘‘They want to have their meals together inside the hotel and also have the team meetings together. That’s not a big demand.’’
The Queensland government has already announced that it will allow cricketers and support staff to mingle in communal areas of the
For the latest on the third test, go to stuff.co.nz
(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 a quick runs with Josh Hazelwood.
On Thursday, Will Pucovski set the tone with a flourishing 62 on debut, before Labuschagne and Smith took over as Australia’s batting lineup finally clicked against India on a rain-interrupted opening day after Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
The four-match Border-Gavaskar trophy series is level at 1-1. The holders India are hoping to secure it with a victory in Sydney and Australia needing to win the series to reclaim it.
Australia won the opening daynight match in Adelaide by eight wickets and India responded with an eight-wicket win in Melbourne last week. – AP hotel. There will be exemptions to train and play but otherwise the touring parties will be confined to their hotel.
At a minimum, yesterday’s news is a hammer blow to the prospect of a heaving crowd at the Gabba next week.
The Big Bash League could also potentially be affected by yesterday’s development in Brisbane, which is expected to trigger fresh border closures.
Sydney Thunder, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers have all played in Queensland’s capital since January 2. – AAP