Steve Smith blasted his third consecutive century against India as Australia notched up their highest ODI score against India in Sydney.
It is official! Steve Smith can only get out against India after he crosses a century. It is a rarity he will get out after crossing fifty and almost never he will get out under fifty. The exhibition of batting shown by Steve Smith in the second ODI against India in Sydney on Sunday was almost a repetition of his brilliance on Friday. On Sunday, Steve Smith produced a similar epic when he smashed a century off 62 balls again. David Warner, Aaron Finch and Marnus Labuschagne all hit fifties as Australia’s top four scored fifty-plus for the first time since Jaipur 2013. The end result: Australia bettered their record and notched up their highest score against India to finish on 389/4.
For India, their lack of penetration in the bowling was once again exposed. Jasprit Bumrah was kept wicketless in the powerplay again and he went for close to eight runs per over. Mohammed Shami also could not haul the Australians in while Navdeep Saini had a horror day, going at 10 runs per over. Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja could not take wickets in the middle overs and it took Hardik Pandya, bowling after 507 days to take the wicket of Smith but that too after he had scored a century.
Nothing went right for India in the field after Australia won the toss and chose to bat in overcast but muggy conditions in Sydney. David Warner and Aaron Finch struck boundaries at will and did not allow the Indian bowlers to settle as they notched up yet another century partnership. The 142-run stand was their fifth in ODIs against India, making it the most by an Australian duo against India.
When Aaron Finch was dismissed by Shami and Warner was run-out by Shreyas Iyer, it seemed India had some momentum back but that was immediately halted by the class of Steve Smith and his doppelganger Marnus Labuschagne.
Smith a class act
Smith was in total control and he found his rhythm almost immediately, hitting Mohammed Shami for a couple of boundaries. He used his feet to the spinners well as he launched Ravindra Jadeja for a six. In quick time, he had reached his fifty while Labuschagne played the sheet anchor role well. After getting his eye in, Labuschagne also continued to find the boundaries.
Smith notched up his century by hitting Yuzvendra Chahal for a big six and then getting it with a single. With Navdeep Saini struggling, Kohli had to resort to some overs from Hardik Pandya, who had not bowled since the World Cup due to a long-term back injury and he rewarded his skipper with the wicket of Smith for 104.
Glenn Maxwell came out and once again looked in great touch. The ‘Big Show’ repeated his feat in the first ODI and targeted the bowling immaculately. Virat Kohli sprung a surprise when he gave Navdeep Saini the final over when Shami had one over to spare. Maxwell notched up his fifty off just 25 balls and smashed two sixes to help Australia reach another record score against India. Virat Kohli looked dejected as he walked into the dressing room and it will need a brilliant knock from him to ensure India remain in the series.
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 "Steve Smith 389/4")
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