Smith celebrates after reaching his 8th hundred in Test cricket.
© AFP
Steve Smith bludgeoned his eighth hundred in 26 matches as Australia continued to consolidate their hold of the fourth and final Test vs India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Aussie captain has been in phenomenal form in the series and responded in typical fashion again, slamming his fourth hundred in as many matches. (Day 2 Blog )
Australia resumed Day 2 on 348/2 and Smith, batting with Shane Watson seemed intent on punishing India's lackluster bowling further on a flat pitch. Smith hit 14 boundaries in his innings as Australia raced away to 383/2. He got a full toss on the knees from Umesh Yadav and Smith was only too glad to put it away before looking skyward in memory of Phillip Hughes who died at the SCG after being hit by a bouncer in November.
Smith had scores of 162*, 52*, 133, 28, 192 and 14 from six innings before today. All of Smith's hundred this series have come in the first innings. He is now only the second batsman to slam a hundred in each match of a four-Test series, after Jacques Kallis.
Besides, Smith also joined the likes of Don Bradman, Neil Harvey, Jack Fingleton and Mathew Hayden as only the fifth Australian batsman to have made 100s in four or more consecutive Tests.
The 25-year-old, who replaced Michael Clarke as skipper for the ongoing series, came out all guns blazing after Australia lost David Warner and Chris Rogers in the space of four runs after their 200-run opening stand. In splendid form, Smith sought to assert himself on the Indian attack immediately, not afraid to use his feet against R Ashwin, who was getting the ball to turn and bounce.
Smith, who glided to his half-century off 67 balls for his fifth innings beyond 50 in the series, was unbeaten on 82 with Watson on 61 at the end of the first day.
The duo had maintained Australia's grip with an unbroken 144-run stand after winning the toss to put the home side at a formidable position.
Smith has impressed in his first three Tests as captain and many believe he is the right man to take over the reigns from Clarke once his time is up. His batting is often seen as unorthodox but Smith continues to be effective in all formats. His Test match form and run scoring spree will undoubtedly give the Aussies a lot to cheer about.
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