Australia vs India, 1st Test, Day 2, Tea: Michael Clarke, Steven Smith hit tons as rain plays spoilsport
Adelaide, Dec 10 - Captain Michael Clarke recorded his 28th Test century to take Australia to 473 for 6 in 111 overs as play was once again halted due to rain after an early tea on the second day of the first Test against India at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.
Intermittent showers have played spoilsport all through the day. The rain came pouring down to stop play for the third time in the day with the Australians ruthlessly dominating a hapless Indian bowling attack.
Steven Smith had smashed 21 boundaries for his unbeaten 142 while Clarke was batting on 109.
Clarke, who retired hurt due to back spasm on Tuesday at an individual score of 60, battled pain to fend off the Indian bowlers, and his game was helped by the rain breaks as only 14.1 overs were possible till tea.
Before the play was stopped due to rain for the second time, Smith, who had an overnight score of 75, also scored a century - his fifth in his career to get the Australian scoreboard ticking.
At tea, Australia were 423 for six with skipper Clarke on 98 and Smith on 103.
Wednesday's play started 10 minutes late as Smith walked out with skipper Clarke, and the duo did well to help their team reach the 400-run mark before drizzle forced the players off the field.
After Mohammed Shami bowled four deliveries to complete the 90th over, Smith started the day with a cut through backward point off a short ball from Ishant Sharma. He again hit Ishant for a two, courtesy of a cracking punch through covers as the Indian persisted with short and wide deliveries.
Clarke also hit a couple of boundaries off Shami. Even though he lacked in footwork and body movement due to the injury that has been troubling him in the last couple of years, Clarke trusted his class and experience to keep the Indians at bay. He stood at the crease to fend off the Indian pacers, who were short on discipline and fire.
On the other hand, the 25-year-old Smith utilized the width of the crease to nice effect and played a confident knock.
He reached his three figures by tucking a Shami delivery towards the deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Scorecard
Australia
Chris Rogers c Dhawan b Ishant 9
David Warner c I Sharma b K Sharma 145
Shane Watson c Dhawan b Aaron 14
Michael Clarke batting 109
Steven Smith batting 142
Mitchell Marsh c Kohli b Aaron 41
Nathan Lyon b Mohammed Shami 3
Brad Haddin c Saha b Mohammed Shami 0
Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 2) 10
Total (6 wickets; 111 overs) 473
Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Rogers, 7.5 overs), 2-88 (Watson, 18.3), 2-206 (Clarke, retired not out, 43.2), 3-258 (Warner, 56.2), 4-345 (Marsh, 84.2), 5-352 (Lyon, 87.3), 6-354 (Haddin, 89.2).
Bowling:
Mohammed Shami 22-2-112-2
Varun Aaron 23-1-136-2
Ishant Sharma 25-5-71-1
Karn Sharma 28-1-121-1
Murali Vijay 13-3-29-0
Match Details:
Umpires: Marais Erasmus (South Africa) and Ian Goul (England)
Test debut: Karn Sharma (India)
TV umpire: Mick Martell
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (New Zealand)
Reserve umpire: Geoff Joshua