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Smith's 34th Century Gives Australia Control Over India
Steve Smith's brilliant 34th Test century propelled Australia into a commanding position on the second day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia resumed play at 311/6 and reached 454/7 at lunch, thanks to a vital 112-run partnership between Smith (139*) and Pat Cummins (49).
Debutant Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), and Marnus Labuschagne (72) all contributed with half-centuries on day one in front of a crowd of over 87,000. Smith, who resumed on 68, reached his century in style, driving a cover drive to the boundary off Jasprit Bumrah for his 100 off 167 balls.
The 35-year-old Smith, now equal-seventh on the all-time list for Test centuries, has bounced back from a lean start to the series, having scored 0, 17, and 2 in the first two Tests. Cummins and Smith's 112-run stand for the seventh wicket frustrated India’s bowlers until Cummins was dismissed for 49 off Ravindra Jadeja.
Smith's knock, which includes 13 fours and three sixes, remains unbeaten. Mitchell Starc is 15* at lunch as Australia continues to dominate.
On day one, Konstas' audacious stroke play, including a reverse scoop off Bumrah, angered India’s Virat Kohli. The two had a shoulder clash after the 10th over, with Kohli later admitting to making "inappropriate physical contact" with the debutant. Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point.
With the series tied 1-1, the final Test begins January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.