Steve Smith downplayed all the claims about his poor form after scoring the 27th Test century in Sydney against India in the third Test. With the ton, he also joined the elite list of Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards and Sir Gary Sobers in the list, who have records of hitting most tons against India.
After he had a low-string of runs in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne respectively, many have said that Australia’s batting mainstay is out of form. He had registered 8, 1*, 0 and 8 runs in the first four innings of the ongoing Test series respectively which had increased talks about his form.
However, with his 8th Test century against the visitors, he has quashed all the chatter around him. Speaking to broadcasters at the venue during the innings break in Sydney, Smith admitted being miffed with what he had been reading about himself over the last couple of weeks. But he is now glad to quite the buzz with his hundred.
“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.
Steve Smith scores 131 runs in first innings:
Steve Smith overcame the battle against Ravichandran Ashwin, who had got him out two times in the first two tests. He counter-attacked to put pressure on the Indian leggie and was successful to minimise the hullaballoo about the combat between the two.
Although Indian bowlers could not get his wicket, Ravindra Jadeja’s incredible fielding ended Steve Smith’s wonderful knock. His direct hit caught him well short of his crease and Smith’s fall of wicket also ended Australia’s first innings for 338 runs.
Smith scored 131 runs, which is so far the highest score by Australians in the ongoing series.
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