BGT 2024-25: Steve Smith scores 33rd test hundred, overtakes Steve Waugh in elite Australian list

Steve Smith scored his 10th test century against India in test cricket.

After losing the majority of the first day’s play due to rain, India started the second day of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 test on the front foot.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah struck early, removing overnight batters Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney inside the first six overs. Marnus Labuschagne was then soon sent back to the pavilion by young all-rounder Nitish Reddy.

At 75/3, Australia found themselves in a precarious spot. It was then that two of their most dangerous batters, Steve Smith and Travis Head, joined forces to put the pressure back on the Indians. Head clobbered the Indian bowling attack with his flawless stroke play, while Smith took some time to find his rhythm.

Starting the innings nervously, Smith looked comfortable after facing 60-70 balls. After crossing his fifty, Smith unleashed his best strokes to jog to a three-figure score, this first test century since the Ashes 2023 in June. The former Australian captain Smith brought up his 33rd test century, to mark an end to his horror batting form in 2024.

In the process, Smith reached a remarkable milestone, overtaking Steve Waugh in an elite list of most test centuries for Australia. Smith surpassed Steve Waugh to register the second-most centuries for Australia in test cricket. Ricky Ponting leads the chart with 41 centuries.

Aggressive opener Matthew Hayden is fourth on the list with 30 centuries, while all-time great Sir Don Bradman sits fifth with 29 test tons.

Most test centuries for Australia:

1. Ricky Ponting – 41
2. Steve Smith – 33
3. Steve Waugh – 32
4. Matthew Hayden – 30
5. Sir Don Bradman – 29

Meanwhile, at the time of writing Jasprit Bumrah has brought India back into the contest with three quick wickets. Australia are now 334/6 with Alex Carey (7) and Pat Cummins (1) at the crease.

India and Australia Playing XIs

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj.

Australia: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

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