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Steve Smith returned back to doing what he does best and scored his 27th Test century in the ongoing third match of the series against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday.
Smith, who had only scored 10 runs from the previous four innings of the series, ran a triple on the final ball of 98th over bowled by Navdeep Saini to reach his hundred.
In process, the Aussie superstar also surpassed India skipper Virat Kohli to get to his 27th Test ton in the fewest innings. While Kohli took 141 innings to achieve the milestone, Smith reached the feat in his 136th inning.
Fewest inns to 27 Test hundreds:
- Don Bradman – 70
- Steve Smith – 136
- Virat Kohli – 141
- Sachin Tendulkar – 141
- Sunil Gavaskar – 154
- Matthew Hayden – 157
Riding on Smith’s 131, Marnus Labuschagne’s 91 and Will Pucovski’s 62, Australia put up 338 runs on the board in their first innings.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Maybe Steve Smith had different hands for white ball and red ball cricket.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) January 8, 2021
After a lean run for Smith, that seemed as much a raw release of relief as it did a celebration. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 8, 2021
There it is 🙌
Steve Smith makes a vital 💯 at the SCG! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/x06NbcZcba
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2021
Steve Smith so excited that he nearly slipped while taking his helmet off and raising his bat #AUSvIND
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 8, 2021
Hundred number 27 for Steven Smith in Test cricket! Special hundred considering he hadn’t scored much in Adelaide & MCG. Looked positive & in complete control at the SCG. Form is temporary, class is permanent #AUSvIND
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 8, 2021
Sydney, it had to be for his 💯 @stevesmith49 #IndvsAus @scg
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 8, 2021
In Smith’s last four Test innings he scored: 1, 1*, 🦆, 8. A poor run of form. Getting his ton at his home ground today must feel oh so sweet. Not a fast 100 either, he worked hard for it. 🇦🇺🇮🇳 #AUSvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) January 8, 2021
Smith also equals the record for most Test 100s (8) v India. Here's the breakdown:
STEVE SMITH 8 in 25 inns
Sobers 8/30
Viv Richards 8/41
Ponting 8/51
#AUSvIND— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) January 8, 2021
That's greatness …Steve Smith 👏👏👏#AUSvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) January 8, 2021
Steve Smith's first century on home soil since Boxing Day Test, 2017. Also ends run of 14 innings without Test ton. His longest is 22 before his maiden 100 in 2013. #AUSvIND
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) January 8, 2021
Smith does it! Almost an angry celebration he was so fired up.. brilliant century from the superstar. #PinkTest
— Melanie McLaughlin (@Mel_Mclaughlin) January 8, 2021
Can’t keep him down for long 💯 #smith #AUSvIND
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) January 8, 2021
Another Steve Smith century, No 27, and only 31yrs – avg 61. We really are privileged and blessed in this decade to be watching three great batsmen of the modern game. Kane Williamson: 30yrs – avg 54.
Virat Kohli: 32yrs- avg 53.— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 8, 2021
Well played @stevesmith49, you can't cage a lion for too long before it roars! 💯 #AUSvIND #PinkTest @ESPNcricinfo
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 8, 2021
Can't keep a big player down for too long. Well batted Steve Smith! 👏👏 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/lqEDld91Zx
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 8, 2021
Steve Smith reunited with wife Dani on New Year’s eve after 129 days apart. That is a lot of lonely nights in bed. Eight days on and Smith becomes the first Australian to score a century against India on home soil in six years. Probably fair to connect those dots. #AUSvIND
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) January 8, 2021
Most Test hundreds for Australia
40 – Ricky Ponting
32 – Steve Waugh
30 – Matthew Hayden
29 – Don Bradman
28 – Michael Clarke
27 – Allan Border, Steve Smith#AUSvIND— Sam Ferris (@samuelfez) January 8, 2021
Tough times never last but tough people do. Steve Smith is back to where he belongs….among the runs. He was the last Australian to score a test century against India…and he’s broken that 2+ year jinx again. Incidentally his third century vs India on this tour…all at Sydney.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 8, 2021
