Smith’s 131

Third Test, Sydney Cricket Ground

 

Australia 338ao off 105.4ov,  Smith 131 off 226, 16 fours, Labuschagne 91 off 196, 11 fours, Jadeja 4-62, Bumrah 2-66, Saini 2-65

India 96-2 off 45 ov, Gill 50 off 101, 8 fours, Rohit Sharma 26 off 77, 3 fours, 1 six, Hazlewood 1-23, Cummins 1-19

Australia’s Steve Smith ended his 16-month wait for a Test hundred by scoring 131 from 226 balls, his first century since the Fourth Ashes Test against England in September 2019, on day two of affinely poised Third Test against India.

Marnus Labuschagne made 91 as the hosts were dismissed for 338 as Jadeja took 4-62.

India battled to 96-2 as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a good start with an opening stand of 70 runs before  Josh Hazlewood induces a false shot from Rohit Sharma dismissing him Although Gill reached his maiden Test fifty and was caught by Cameron Green at gully off Pat Cummins. Chetersahwat Pujara and captain Ajinkya Rahane came to the crease to reduce Australia’s first-innings lead. At the close in Sydney 242 runs behind.