Steve Smith once again showed why he is the top-ranked Test batsman in the world after a commanding century on the first day of the third Test against India in Ranchi. The Australia captain continued his rich vein of form as he brought up his second century this series – the only batsman to score a ton so far – with a four. After reaching the landmark, he looked at the dressing room, with his bat outstretched, gracefully. His 19th Test ton was studded with boundaries as he stitched a solid partnerhsip with Glenn Maxwell.
Century for Steve Smith!
— TheField (@thefield_in) March 16, 2017
19th Test ton, 6th against India, 11th as captain, 2nd this series. Phenomenal!#IndvAus https://t.co/6GZEmptDT1
En route his ton, Smith crossed another milestone, completing 5,000 runs in Test cricket, in 97 innings – the seventh fastest in terms of innings.
Smith’s century was lauded across Twitter as former players and cricket pundits emphasised the importance of this effort, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hanging in balance. His batting was certainly a good answer to all the negtivity of the past few days and might just overshadow his “brain-fade” comments, depending on how the Ranchi Test ends.
How good is this bloke?!@stevesmith49's second ton of the series #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/nUDR2J4xrJ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 16, 2017
Steve Smith's 19th Test century helps Australia have the best of Day 1 of the 3rd #IndvAus Test, finishing 299/4: https://t.co/67bpgVyali pic.twitter.com/rXHEYVu5L3
— ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2017
Keep them coming @stevesmith49 another very well played Test match 💯
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 16, 2017
19th Test 💯for the Skipper Steven Smith 👌
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) March 16, 2017
Tick to leadership, patience and sticking to your game plan#GoBigNow#IndvAus
Now that's a fantastic 💯 from @stevesmith49 showing great skill and character. #INDvAUS
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 16, 2017
This Steve Smith is such a wonderful young player. Been a joy seeing him bat.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 16, 2017
Two centuries in 3 Tests on bowler friendly pitches where no other batsman has reached three figures. Take a bow @stevesmith49
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 16, 2017
Fewest innings to 19th Test 100
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 16, 2017
Ins Batsman
53 D Bradman
85 S Gavaskar
94 M Hayden
97 Steve Smith
105 S Tendulkar#IndvAus
Smith's 19th Test hundred takes him past Warner from 10 fewer matches
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 16, 2017
Steve Smith:
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) March 16, 2017
- 1st AUS captain to score two Test centuries in IND
- 5th AUS batsman to score two centuries in a Test series in IND#INDvAUS
Smith hundred was inevitable here. Like a perfect movie villian. His evil powers feeds on your hatred. #IndvAus
— cricBC (@cricBC) March 16, 2017
Absolutely magnificent hundred from Smith. What a player! Australia is so lucky to have such a great captain. #IndvAus
— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) March 16, 2017
Sir Smudge!! 💯⭐️
— Jess Hopkins (@hopkins_11) March 16, 2017
That's a steely performance from young Smudge #AUSvIND
— John Stokes (@stokesjohnny) March 16, 2017
How good is Steve Smith then?
— Bernard Keane (@BernardKeane) March 16, 2017
Smith's century:
— Encrypted Layman!!!! (@FreddieFaizan) March 16, 2017
- 19th of Tests
- 13th in 1st inns of a Test
- 11th as captain
- 6th vs India
- 3rd in Asia
- 2nd in India#IndvAus pic.twitter.com/fUIf3YT0F5
Oh and of course there were “dressing room” jibes aplenty:
Typical Steve Smith. Blatantly looking towards the dressing room after making his 100. #INDvAUS
— Charlie Reynolds (@cwjreynolds) March 16, 2017
I wonder if Virat will complain about Steve Smith looking up to the rooms again today. I have seen him do it twice!
— Daniel Harford (@HarfSerious) March 16, 2017
#50 & #100 💪💪
Un-spectacular, dogged and fighting century by Steve Smith, this. You can bloody well look at your dressing room now, Smudge. #IndvAus
— Malay Desai (@MalayD) March 16, 2017
