Steve Smith ends year-long ton-less drought with slow yet gritty hundred against India

Australia's run-maestro Steve Smith ended a year-long ton drought as he brought up his first hundred for 2021 calendar year as hosts stood firm on Day two against India on Friday. Steve Smith played a gritty and patient kck en route to his century, getting to three-figure mark in 201 deliveries, laced with 13 boundaries. Steve Smith's ton is also first hundred for an Australian batsman in ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy. Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne was nearing his ton before he was dismissed by Ravindra Jeja on 91. 

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Steve Smith ends drought, smashes ton

With this hundred, Steve Smith has accumulated eight Test tons against India in just 25 innings, leing list which features Gary sobers, Sir Vivian Richards and Ricky Ponting. ongoing series against India hasn't been very forgiving for Steve Smith as top-ranked Test batsman failed to get ahe of Indian bowlers, especially R Ashwin. However, Steve Smith displayed great confidence and batted patiently as he led Australia's fight against India in first innings. 

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India slowly dismantle Australia

Marnus Labuschagne fell short of his fifth test century but Australia continued its strong start to third cricket test, reaching 249-5 at lunch Friday in ar rain-interrupted session at Sydney Cricket Ground. Labuschagne me 91, after resuming on 67 on Friday with Australia at 166-2, and shared a century stand with Steve Smith to see Australia past 200 runs for first time in five innings this series. Ravi Jeja took two wickets and Jasprit Bumrah h Cameron Green lbw with last ball before lunch in morning session as India maintained pressure with accurate bowling to keep Australia’s scoring in check.

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On Thursday, Will Pucovski set tone with a flourishing 62 on debut, before Labuschagne and Smith took over as Australia’s batting lineup finally ed against India, reaching 166-2 on a rain-interrupted opening day. After Australia won toss and elected to bat, Labuschagne shared a partnership of 100 with Pucovski and n 60 with Smith after going to crease in fourth over. four-match Border-Gavaskar trophy series is currently tied at 1-1. holder India is hoping to secure it with a victory in Sydney and Australia needing to win series to reclaim it. Australia won opening day-night match in elaide by eight wickets and India responded with an eight-wicket win in Melbourne last week.

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