After scoring just 10 runs in the first four innings against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Test series, Steve Smith finally bounced back to form as he scored a brilliant century in the Australian first innings at Sydney Cricket Ground. This was his 27th Test ton and eighth against India.
He is also the quickest to reach 27 Test centuries in terms of innings. He reached the feat in 136 innings. This is also his eighth Test ton vs India, equalling Windies great Viv Richards. Moreover, Steve Smith averages 79.22 in Sydney and this century is proof of his class and ability as a Test batsman.
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Smith spoke in the mid-innings break after Australia were bowled out for 338 in their first innings. Smith added a 100-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne (91) to start the day for Australia before a flurry of wickets fell for the Aussies. He said that his ton would now force many of his critics to keep quiet who thought that he was due for runs.
May Be a Few People Will Keep Quiet: Steve Smith
“I’m reading lots of things people say about out of form, but think there’s a difference between out of form and out of runs so it was just nice to score a few and maybe keep a few people quiet,” he said.
Smith had had his troubles against Ravichandran Ashwin in the Test series so far. Smith was dismissed thrice by Ashwin prior to this knock. However, in this particular knock he played with a more aggressive intent against the Indian off-spinner.
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He also spoke about the same last night after he returned unbeaten on 31. “I’m good, nice to spend a bit of time out there, nice to stitch in a partnership with Marnus. I wanted to put him (Ashwin) under a little bit of pressure which I haven’t done this series,” Smith said at the end of the day’s play” Smith told reporters.
He further spoke on playing with better footwork and getting into good positions to tackle Ashwin.
“I was just trying to hold the grip a bit tighter, I’ve been struggling, so I was getting into good positions today. I was good to get a couple of boundaries early. Marnus played well, hopefully we go along well tomorrow” Steve Smith said.
