Galle [Sri Lanka], February 8 (ANI): Star Australian batter Steve Smith re-wrote report books with one other good century towards Sri Lanka through the second Take a look at at Galle.
On Friday, Smith placed on a masterclass in taking part in spin, ending day two at 120 in 239 balls, with 9 fours and a six, placing Aussies in a commanding place.
Together with his century, Smith surpassed legendary Australian batter and former captain Ricky Ponting to be the group’s main run-getter in Asia. In 24 Assessments in Asia, Smith has scored 1,983 runs at a median of 53.59, with seven centuries and eight fifties in 42 innings and finest rating of 178.
Ponting slid all the way down to second, with 1,889 runs in 28 matches and 48 innings, which incorporates 5 centuries and 10 fifties. His finest rating in Asian situations is 150.
Smith can also be the sixth Aussie to succeed in the 17,000 worldwide runs mark. In 348 worldwide matches, he has scored 17,016 runs at a median of 48.06, with 48 centuries and 80 fifties. His finest rating is 239. On the high of the run-scoring charts is Ponting, with 27,368 runs in 559 worldwide matches and 667 innings at a median of 45.84. This included 7 centuries and 146 fifties, with the most effective rating of 257.
With 36 Take a look at tons, Smith has now joined England’s Joe Root and Indian legend Rahul Dravid as joint-fifth-highest century maker in Assessments.
Additionally, that is Smith’s seventeenth Take a look at century away from house, equalling with West Indies nice Brian Lara and outdoing Indian batting icon Virat Kohli (16 centuries). Sachin Tendulkar (29) has most Take a look at centuries away from house. That is his seventh century in Asia, becoming a member of New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Root because the third-highest century-maker in Assessments in Asia, with Alastair Prepare dinner, former England opener, on the high with 9 tons in Asia.
Smith has centuries in 4 successive Assessments now, ranging from the fourth Take a look at towards India, a Boxing Day conflict at Melbourne. As soon as sitting outdoors the highest 10 of ICC World Take a look at Championship 2023-25 run-getters, Smith is now at sixth spot. In 19 Assessments, he has scored 1,313 runs at a median of 42.35, with 5 centuries and 4 fifties. His finest rating is 141.
Coming to the match, Sri Lanka received the toss and opted to bat first. Half-centuries from Kusal Mendis (85 in 139 balls, with 10 fours and a six) and Dinesh Chandimal (74 in 163 balls, with six fours and a six) took Sri Lanka to 257 in 97.4 overs.
Mitchell Starc (3/27), Matthew Kuhnemann (3/63), and Nathan Lyon (3/96) have been high wicket-takers for Australia.
Of their first innings, Australia misplaced Travis Head (21), Marnus Labuschagne (4), and Usman Khawaja (36) early, leaving the group struggling at 91/3. Nonetheless, centuries from Alex Carey (139 in 156 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes) and Smith (120 in 239 balls, with 9 fours and a six) took Australia to 330/3 on the finish of day two, main by 73 runs. (ANI)
