Steve Smith of Australia plays a shot during day two of the Men’s Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
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India were 51 for two at tea on day two after Australia posted 474 in the fourth Test here on Friday (December 27, 2024).
Skipper Rohit Sharma (3) fell cheaply once again before Yashasvi Jaiswal (23 batting) and K L Rahul (24) batted for 13 overs. Rahul was dismissed by Pat Cummins at the stroke of tea.
Australia were all out after lunch with Steve Smith scoring his 34th Test hundred.
Resuming at their overnight score of 311 for six, the hosts added 163 runs on day two to post a commanding total.
Smith shared a 144-run partnership with skipper Pat Cummins (49) in the morning session to take Australia beyond the 400-run mark.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah (4/99) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/78) shared seven wickets between them while Akash Deep (2/94) had two scalps.
Brief scores:
Australia 1st innings 474 all out in 122.4 overs (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschgane 72; Sam Konstas 60; Jasprit Bumrah 4/99, Ravindra Jadeja 3/78.
India 51/2 in 15 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 23 batting, K L Rahul 24; Pat Cummins 2/27).
Smith hits second ton in series
Australia’s Steve Smith slammed his second century of the series against India on Friday (December 27, 2024), reaching three figures on day two at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It was a patient and well-constructed innings from the 35-year-old, who hit nine fours and two sixes in the 167-ball knock to help put the hosts in a strong position.
Smith also scored a ton at the last Test in Brisbane — his first since June 2023 — with the latest his 34th in his 113th match. It moves him alongside four other players on the all-list of century-makers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara. Only six players have scored more, led by Sachin Tendulkar’s 51.
Published – December 27, 2024 06:59 am IST
