IND vs AUS: Steve Smith joins Ricky Ponting, Don Bradman in elusive Test feat at MCG

NEW DELHI: Australian batter Steve Smith on Thursday joined an exclusive group of accomplished cricketers with his 42nd half-century during the Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Smith became part of an elite group alongside cricket legends Ricky Ponting, Don Bradman and Greg Chappell, who have scored 10 or more 50-plus scores in Tests at this historic venue.



This milestone marked Smith's 10th fifty-plus score at MCG in his 12th Test appearance there. Chappell holds the record with 13 such scores from 17 Tests, while Bradman (12 from 11 Tests) and Ponting (11 from 15 Tests) also feature in the list.

Smith remained unbeaten on 68, which included five boundaries and one six, having reached his half-century from 71 deliveries in the final session. Australia finished strongly at 311/6 after 86 overs on Day 1.

Young debutant Sam Konstas impressed with 60 runs, while Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne contributed significantly with 57 and 72 runs respectively, putting Australia in a commanding position.

Australian captain Pat Cummins, who won the toss and chose to bat, remained unbeaten on eight runs and will resume batting with Smith on Day 2.

India's bowling effort was led by Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 3-75 in 21 overs, whilst Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar each secured one wicket.




Smith went on to score his 34th Test hundred on the second day on Friday, making him the joint-seventh batter with most hundreds in Test cricket.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series stands level at 1-1, following a drawn match in Brisbane. India had secured victory in the opening Test at Perth by 295 runs, before suffering a 10-wicket loss in the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval.