Australian batsman Steve Smith continued his excellent form in the Boxing Day Test match and scored the 34th Test century of his career. He batted brilliantly before lunch and showed intention of maintaining the same rhythm in the second session as well. However, Akash Deep’s ball ended his brilliant innings of 140 runs. Luck also played an important role in this wicket, because Smith had expected that the ball would not hit the stumps, but his thinking was proved wrong.
Steve Smith’s dismissal on the ball of Akash Deep
After lunch, Ravindra Jadeja bowled the first over for India, in which he clean bowled Mitchell Starc. After this, Akash Deep bowled the next over and bowled Steve Smith.
- Smith’s technical miss:
- Smith tried to play Akash Deep’s ball by moving forward and moving back.
- The ball hit the inner edge of his bat and went towards the stumps.
- Game of luck:
- Smith felt that the ball would not reach the stumps or even if it did, the bails would not fall.
- But his hopes proved wrong, and the fall of the bails ended his innings.
Smith’s second consecutive century and record performance
Steve Smith scored his second consecutive century in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which was the 11th century of his Test career against India. This is the record of scoring most centuries against India.
- Smith’s innings figures:
- 140 runs (in 197 balls).
- Contains 13 fours and 3 sixes.
- His innings helped Australia post a huge score of 470 runs in the first innings.
Australia’s innings: Contribution of other batsmen
Apart from Steve Smith’s brilliant innings, three more Australian batsmen scored half-centuries:
- Sam Constas.
- Usman Khawaja.
- Marnus Labuschagne.
These innings also played an important role in Australia’s huge score.
Performance of Indian bowlers
The Indian bowlers put up a fighting performance, but the Australian batsmen kept the pressure on them.
- Jasprit Bumrah:
- He took 4 wickets and was the most effective bowler.
- sky lamp:
- He gave an important wicket to India by dismissing Steve Smith.
