Aus Stumps Strong in Lead After Smith's 34th Century
Melbourne [Australia] - Australia took control of the Boxing Day Test against India after a stellar batting display, with Steve Smith scoring his 34th Test century and leaving the visitors struggling at 5-164.
The hosts, who were bowled out for 474 earlier in the day, had Smith (140 off 197 balls) and Alex Carey (28* off 59 Balls) set up a commanding first-innings lead. This led to Australia looking all set to force their way towards an easy victory as they took control of what was expected to be another nail-biting battle.
Smith's impressive knock at the MCG, his eleventh against India, and his fifth in Melbourne, cemented his legendary status as one of the sport's leading figures. He reached triple digits in 167 deliveries and went onto hit 140 runs off just over four and a half hours of play from the starting morning session.
Australia's dominant display came on the back of several key collapses for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell short by 18 runs when he was stumped by Wicket-keeper Alex Carey after having earlier run towards mid-off to take off an extra single and put all his trust in Kohli, only for Australia's skipper Pat Cummins to seize the opportunity for a brilliant run out.
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal departed at this moment while 36-runnings from Virat Kohli fell behind the stumps after the Australian bowler Scott Boland struck late. Indian star captain, Virat Kohli also got out short of his potential, having played on and missing a length ball from Scott Boland.
With Smith, Australia's innings came to a conclusion with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj claiming 4-99 in the final over. It will be an onlooker's worst nightmare for India - going so wrong even at a stage when they had looked set up by having overcome many hurdles earlier and the visitors trailing by just 25 runs before Jaiswal's error.
The first-innings lead is now a considerable 310. The 5-164 lead will be an onlooker's worst nightmare for India as their match seems to be heading into its final hour with several of the best batsmen leaving the wickets at regular intervals, giving Australia ample confidence that they can win it and also seal their advantage over in the Test Cricket series.
The visitors are back at Bay 13 in Melbourne where India captain Rohit Sharma played a tentative opening innings. With this loss of some very top level talent on day two, one wonders which Indians would turn out to bowl for the match ahead.