adminSYDNEY. — Steve Smith joined the greats yesterday with his fourth century of the series as India hung in after the shock loss of an early wicket on the second day of the final Test cricket in Sydney.
The Aussie skipper became only the third batsman along with Don Bradman and Jacques Kallis to score tons in four consecutive Tests in the same series as his team posted a total beyond 500 for the fourth Test running.
Smith contributed 117 in Australia’s first innings of 572 for seven declared before the tourists were rocked by the third-ball dismissal of opener Murali Vijay for a duck.
At the close, India had stabilised at 71 for one to trail Australia by 501 with Lokesh Rahul on 31 and Rohit Sharma hitting two sixes on his way to 40 not out.
“I thought our whole top six played really well,” Smith said.
“We’ve relied a lot on the tail in the last couple of Test matches and I said the batters had to step up in this match.
“The whole top six got above fifty which I don’t think has happened before. That’s outstanding for us.
“It’s not the kind of wicket I think where you can blast sides out. It’s about staying patient and hopefully the patience pays off.”
Left-armer Mitchell Starc, bowling with fire and rhythm, slanted one across Vijay and coaxed a snick to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.
Starc may be in disciplinary trouble for giving Vijay a big send-off, roaring in his face and waving his fists in a fiery opening over as Mitchell Johnson’s injury replacement.
But the day belonged to Smith, who added another century to his unbeaten 162 in Adelaide, 133 in Brisbane and 192 in Melbourne in this series. — AFP.
Online Reporter