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Steve Smith hits unbeaten century for Australia against India

Steve Smith's 19th Test century and Glenn Maxwell's breakthrough batting performance push Australia to 299-4 at stumps on day one of the third Test against India.
By , Reporter
Filed:
Updated: Friday, March 17, 2017 at 12:58 UK

Steve Smith has struck an unbeaten century for Australia on day one of the third Test against India in Ranchi.

The tourists' captain (117*) played a patient knock and shared an unbeaten stand of 159 with Glenn Maxwell to help the Baggy Greens recover from 140-4 to close on 299-4.

It was Smith's 19th Test ton and second of the series, passing teammate David Warner's 18 and matching the mark of Australia legends Mark Taylor and Mike Hussey.

Meanwhile Maxwell's 82*, including two sixes, comfortably beat his previous Test best of 37, and he will be looking to reach triple figures himself on day two.

Australia made a positive start, having won the toss, and had raced to 50 before Warner (19) was caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja (1-80) in the 10th over.

Umesh Yadav then had Matt Renshaw caught at slip and Ravichandran Ashwin (1-78) removed Shaun Marsh (2) a couple of overs later.

A 51-run partnership between Smith and Peter Handscomb was then broken by Yadav (2-62) during the afternoon session, Handscomb (19) lbw in the 43rd over, before Smith and Maxwell saw their side through to stumps.

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