India face uphill battle after Smith century

Australia were in strong command at stumps on day two of the fourth and final Test against India, with the visitors still 501 runs behind the Aussies at the SCG, on 71 for one.
Australia had declared on 572 for seven earlier in the day, thanks to yet another century from stand-in skipper Steve Smith, as well as half tons from Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns. India lost Murali Vijay before the close.
The day began with the hosts on 348 for two, with Smith on 82 and Shane Watson on 61. Together they pushed the score to 400 on the dot in the morning, before Watson was dismissed for 81 by Mohammed Shami.
The India paceman was by far their best bowler, taking five of the seven wickets to fall, though had very little help from the other end. The wicket of Smith was taken by Umesh Yadav though, 15 runs after Watson, for 117.
This left Marsh and Burns together, with the latter playing in only his second Test and looking to atone for his below-par debut. The Queenslander was far more impressive here, as he made his fifty off 94 balls.
The pair put on a century stand, taking the score to 529, before Marsh departed for 73. He was caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha, the keeper of the hour since MS Dhoni's retirement, off Shami's bowling.
Burns followed four overs later, for 58, also to Shami, leaving Ryan Harris to add a quick 25 before the declaration. When the veteran paceman was out, also to Shami, Smith declared the innings and left India a session to bat.
They started poorly, with Vijay out for a duck to Mitchell Starc in the first over, caught by BRad Haddin. But KL Rahul, under pressure since his debut, and Rohit Sharma stuck to their guns and recorded 31 and 40 respectively by stumps.
Latest
-
News
George Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
England
England top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New Zealand
Daryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.
-
England
Superb James Vince ton leads Hampshire to shock win over Somerset
Sussex’s five-match losing streak came to an end with a 17-run win over Surrey.
-
England
Adil Rashid to miss England’s India white-ball series to make Mecca pilgrimage
Rashid has found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments.
-
England
Jack Leach pleased with good luck but admits freak dismissal no collector’s item
New Zealand closed the opening day of the final Test against England on 225 for five after Henry Nicholls was dismissed in bizarre fashion.
-
England
Stuart Broad stars on day one for England but error of judgement proves costly
Broad kept a week of celebrations going strong by striking before a run had been added and followed with the key scalp of Kane Williamson.
-
England
Matthew Mott expects England whitewash to ‘light fire’ under captain Eoin Morgan
Mott made an ideal start in his new role with a 3-0 one-day clean sweep of the Netherlands.