Cricket: India strikes back on day two of Test 3 against Australia

Steve Smith scored his first century in Australia in more than three years, but Indian bowlers caused another batting collapse for the hosts before their batters made a solid start to go 96-2 at the end of the second day of the third test of cricket at the Sydney Cricket. Floor.

Smith’s 131, his first century since the 2019 Ashes and Australia’s first in this series, helped lift the hosts to 338, but Australia will be disappointed not to have scored more as their last eight wickets fell to 130 runs with him. India spinner Ravi Jadeja taking 4-62 and completing a spectacular run to fire Smith and finish innings.

India made a good start in their innings reaching 70 without losing before Australia’s rhythm attack responded by eliminating both starters in the final session.

At the stumps, captain Ajinkya Rahane was undefeated in five with Cheteshwar Pujara in nine, trailing Australia by 242 runs with eight wickets remaining in the first inning.

Having resumed at 166-2 on Friday, Australia was well positioned to take full control of the game after winning the toss and choosing to hit.

Marnus Labuschagne made 91 of 196 balls and shared a century-long position with Smith to see Australia surpass 200 runs for the first time in five innings of this series, before beating the impressive Jadeja against Rahane in a slide with Australia in 206- 3.

Jadeja then had Matthew Wade (13) play a bad shot to get caught deep, before Jasprit Bumrah (2-66) caught Cameron Green lbw with the last ball before lunch.

After lunch, Captain Tim Paine (1) and Pat Cummins (0) bowled for little money leaving Australia at 278-7.

Smith then hit his 27th hundred in 76 rounds with a leg look for three races from Navdeep Saini in 98th. The former captain was much more effusive in his celebration than usual reflecting the relief of having marked his first century in 15 innings spanning four series.

Smith’s eighth 100 against India came in 259 minutes with 201 balls, with 13 limits, and was the first against India in a home test since David Warner’s century of rapid fire at SCG in 2015. It was also the first century. Smith in Australia since December 2017 in a tie against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Mitchell Starc scored 24 of 30 balls, including two limits and a six, before making out the rookie Saini (2-65). Nathan Lyon was also offside, trapped by Jadeja to reduce the hosts to 315-9.

Smith was the last ground to fall, thrown spectacularly by Jadeja with a direct hit from the deep square leg, while chasing fast runs with Josh Hazelwood.

India opened their innings energetically with the second player, Gill, who was especially comfortable in the fold.

Hazlewood made the breakthrough for the hosts at 27 to eliminate Sharma caught and released for 26, leaving India at 70-1.

Gill reached his first half century with 100 balls, with eight limits, before Cummins found the edge of the opener and Gill caught Green on the next ball.

Pujara and Rahane survived some misses in the final overs when Australia threw a dangerous line and length in search of a late wicket to tip the game in their favor heading into day three.

– AP