Steve Smith scored a Test century after a gap of 25 innings, the longest ever drought in his career, on the second day of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. (Day 2 Blog | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Smith brought up his 33rd Test century on his 185th delivery. He was soon dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah at the score 101.
This was Smith's first Test century in 533 days. His last ton came during the 2023 Ashes at Lord's. The gap of 25 innings between Smith's two centuries is also the longest for him. He had waited 22 innings to score his maiden Test hundred and that was the longest he had gone without a century in the longest format.
Regarded as one of the best Test batters of all time, Smith also surpassed the legendary Steve Waugh in the list of most centuries in Test cricket for Australia. Smith with 33 tons is only behind Ricky Ponting who scored 41 Test centuries in his storied career.
Smith was not at his fluent best in the third Test and struggled early on. He had to arrive at the crease early in the day after Jasprit Bumrah had dismissed both Aussie openers.
Bumrah and Akash Deep consistently threatened both the inside and the outside edge of Smith's bat but the right-hander stood his ground despite a lot of play and misses.
Once the ball got softer and Travis Head got going on one end, pressure on Smith eased. He played second fiddle in the 241-run fourth wicket partnership with Head to put Aussies in command.
Smith raised his half-century in 128 balls but raced to his hundred in the next 57 balls only. However, soon after his century, he edged one to the slips to get out.
