3rd Test
Day-2 Evening Session Highlights:
Centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith has put the Australia team in a commanding position
At The Stumps of Day-2:
Australia scored 405/7 (1st Innings) vs India.
Travis Head and Steve Smith both scored centuries, dominating India’s bowlers on a largely placid pitch at The Gabba, putting Australia in a strong position to dictate the remainder of the Brisbane Test.
Head, continuing his dominance over India, struck an impressive 152 off 160 balls, marking his third century in the last six innings against India, including two consecutive hundreds.
Smith, who has historically excelled against India, reached his 10th century against them and 33rd overall, scoring a gritty 101—his first three-figure score in a lean 2024.
The pair’s 241-run partnership for the fourth wicket, following Jasprit Bumrah’s another five-wicket haul (his 12th in just 43 Tests), lifted Australia to 405 for 7 at stumps.
Their stand, spanning just under 50 overs, not only put Australia in control at a crucial point in the series but also highlighted some questionable decisions by India, including their choice to bowl first.
Additionally, India’s bowling resources came under scrutiny, with Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja struggling in the conditions, while Mohammed Siraj battled cramps and failed to produce breakthroughs.
Bumrah, however, was the standout bowler, continuing to showcase his excellence.
After a gloomy Day 1, the early start on Day 2 saw Bumrah come into his own, operating at a fuller length and drawing edges from both Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney.
His brilliance, which included a stunning average of 4.28 against Australia’s openers in this series, helped India get off to a strong start.
However, a resilient Head-Smith partnership and a failure to exploit Australia’s weaknesses saw the hosts gain the upper hand.
By the time the post-lunch session began, with the ball already 43 overs old, Head and Smith put on 54 runs in the first hour without taking risks.
With Jadeja failing to find much spin, Head capitalized by attacking both him and Siraj.
Head reached his half-century off 71 balls before accelerating to a 100 off just 44 balls, while Smith, after a steady 128-ball half-century, reached his second fifty in 57 balls.
Although Bumrah fought back with the second new ball, claiming three quick wickets, including a superb five-fer, Australia managed to reach 327 for 6.
Alex Carey (45*) and Pat Cummins (unbeaten) added a further 58 runs for the seventh wicket, extending Australia’s lead heading into the next day.
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