Boxing Day Test: Steven Smith's colossal hundred powers Australia to post 474 in Melbourne
Melbourne/IBNS: A massive hundred by Steven Smith powered Australia to 474 in the first innings of Boxing Day Test against India at MCG in Melbourne on Friday.
Smith, who scored 140 from 197 balls, steered Australia's innings in the first session on day two along with skipper Pat Cummins, who slammed 49.
Until he was dismissed cheaply post lunch, Smith, who has a superb record at MCG, hit 13 fours and three sixes offering more worries for the tourists.
India's vice-captain and pace bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah maintained his dominance even after a spell which went all wrong to 19-year-old Aussie debutant Sam Konstas on day 1.
The world's best bowler clinched four wickets for 99 runs while he was aptly supported by allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, who picked three including the Aussie skipper's vital wicket this morning.
Highlights of Day 1
Australia stunned India by introducing 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas who rattled the visitors in the first hour after winning the toss and electing to bat first in the fourth Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Konstas, who hammered world's best bowler Jasprit Bumrah on a rare occasion, became the fourth youngest Test debutant for Australia.
Cultivating unorthodox shots and surviving heated exchanges with Indian players, Konstas slammed his maiden Test 50 in just 52 balls.
By the time he was dismissed for 60 from 65 balls by Ravindra Jadeja, Konstas emerged as the right pick for the hosts to partner Usman Khawaja, who suffered a soft dismissal by Jasprit Bumrah batting at 57.
After Khawaja's exit, Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 72, and Steven Smith stitched another vital partnership of 83 runs until it was unwinded by Washington Sundar.