Melbourne, Dec 27: Steve Smith played a brilliant knock of 140, while Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stellar performance with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 99 runs, as India bowled Australia out for 474 in their first innings on day two of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday.
Smith's 34th Test century, which included 13 fours and three sixes, was a fluent and dominant innings that held the Australian innings together. He received valuable support from Pat Cummins (49) and Mitchell Starc (15), with the two adding 112 and 44 runs in partnerships respectively. Smith’s century was also his fifth at the MCG and came in his second consecutive match against India in this series.
After lunch, India made some progress, with Mitchell Starc being bowled out by Ravindra Jadeja, who got the ball to straighten and break through his off-stump. Smith's dismissal followed soon after in an unusual manner when he danced down the pitch to hit a delivery from Akash Deep but instead got an inside edge, which rolled onto the stumps.
Australia’s innings was eventually wrapped up when Jadeja trapped Nathan Lyon plumb in front, dismissing him for a duck and ending Australia’s innings at 474 in 122.4 overs.
With the Australian bowlers now set to take their turn on a pitch that still offers assistance to both seamers and spinners, India’s batting line-up faces a significant challenge. Rohit Sharma, returning to open the batting, and KL Rahul, India's top scorer on the tour, have a tough task ahead as India looks to respond after their bowlers worked hard, with Bumrah again leading the charge.
Brief Scores: Australia: 474 all out in 122.4 overs (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72; Jasprit Bumrah 4-99, Ravindra Jadeja 3-78)
India's response pending.
