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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS, Day 2: Smith century adds to India's agony

PHOTOS, Day 2: Smith century adds to India's agony

December 27, 2014 13:14 IST
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Steven Smith scored a brilliant century (192) as Australia recorded a massive 530 in the first innings as Indian bowlers were hammered all over the park.

Losing the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan (28), India ended the day on 108 for 1 in their reply.

Check out some of the images from the second day's play of the 3rd Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Steve Smith of Australia celebrates his century on Day 2 of the Third Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday

Steve Smith of Australia celebrates his century on Day 2 of the Third Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Australia’s stand-in captain Steven Smith (192) missed a double century but helped heap more misery on flailing India as he guided Australia to a mammoth first innings total of 530.

- Scorecard

In reply India were 108 for 1 at close of play on Day 2 of the third Test at the Melboune Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Ryan Harris celebrates after dismissing Shikhar Dhawan

Ryan Harris celebrates after dismissing Shikhar Dhawan. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

India openers Murali Vijay (55 batting) and Shikhar Dhawan (28) played patiently and completed a 50-run partnership. The duo looked like they would build on the partnership but that was not to be be.

With the score on 57, Australia struck when Ryan Harris had the struggling Dhawan caught by Smith at slips.

Cheteshwar Pujara (25 batting) and Vijay were at the crease when stumps were drawn.

Steven Smith hits a boundary

Steven Smith hits a boundary. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Earlier, Smith scored a career-best 192 runs (305 balls, 15 fours, 2 fours) as the Indian bowlers were sent to all corners of the park.

In the form of his life, the 25-year-old flicked off his pads to the fine leg boundary to raise his seventh Test century and third from three matches in the series.

R Ashwin (3-134) was India’s best bowler, bowling with control throughout the innings. Mohammed Shami (4-138) took the most wickets, but he leaked a lot of runs (23 fours).

Ishant Sharma (0-104) and Umesh Yadav (3-130) were unimpressive on this day with Murali Vijay (0-14) being the only other bowler used in this innings.

Ryan Harris hits a six as MS Dhoni of India looks on

Ryan Harris hits a six as MS Dhoni of India looks on. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Post-lunch, Smith looked to get some quick runs with Ryan Harris (74 runs, 88 balls, 8 fours, 1 six). India, meanwhile, merely waited for things to happen, almost reluctant to get the batsmen out.

Harris was out LBW to Ashwin but then Smith added a quick-fire 48 runs for the ninth wicket with Nathan Lyon (11) who threw his bat around.

They were then both bowled by Shami in successive overs to put an end to India’s agony.

Australia maintained a run-rate of more than five-per-over through the morning session, scoring 130 runs in just 25 overs.

Brad Haddin

Brad Haddin. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Smith and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin racked up 67 runs before Haddin dismissed himself with a botched leave that nicked through to wicketkeeper and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Haddin had looked terribly out of sorts as he grafted to 23 on day one but India’s poor bowling allowed Haddin to play himself back into form with an aggressive array of slogged shots.

The 37-year-old poked a single to midwicket to bring up his half-century, while Smith began to open his shoulders with a number of sweetly struck boundaries.

Paceman Shami had Haddin caught behind for 55 midway through the session.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson. Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But  Mitchell Johnson continued the run-feast, pulling Umesh Yadav to the fence and then blasting a lofted straight drive past the pace bowler on the next ball.

Johnson continued the punishment with a quick-fire 28 before he was stumped attempting to slog spinner Ashwin down the ground.

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