The stand-in Australian captain has hit his fourth ton against India at the SCG in the fourth and final test match of the series.
Smith’s average is sitting comfortably above 150 runs per innings at 173.00. This is likely to drop if the captain is dismissed, but what remains will no doubt be evidence of what has been a sensational series and beginning to a promising career as captain.
Steve Smith began day two just as he did day one, with some big hitting and at times frustratingly patient batting as the Indians probed for an early breakthrough with a ball that was only 10 over old.
Smith brought up his ton and raised his bat to the sky, dedicating his innings to his lost mate Phil Hughes. Just as Warner had on day one, Smith seemed relieved to have reached the milestone.
His achievement means that he joins Jacques Kallis as the only batsman to score centuries in each test of a four match series and has made it three-from-three as captain of his country.
Shane Watson was unable to convert his overnight half-century, holing out to Ashwin at deep mid-wicket on 81 off the bowling of Sami. Watson looked good and looked disgusted as he left the pitch with Australia at 3/400.
Shaun Marsh will be looking to go one better after being dismissed for 99 in his last innings.
Photo: Reuters
