Australia vs South Africa: Steve Smith scores 30th Test century, passes legendary Donald Bradman
Australia vs South Africa: Steve Smith hits his 30th Test century, surpassing the legendary Donald Bradman.
Australia were firmly in control on Day 2 of the Sydney Test on Thursday, January 5, after a pair of double centuries. Former captain Steve Smith scored his 30th Test century. He bats for Australia.
Steve Smith overtook both Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke today! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/mZHTktO0Z8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2023
Smith scored 104 off 192 balls with 2 sixes and 11 fours. The century came off a ferocious pull shot from Smith, who was defending two balls from South African pacer Henrich Nordje. The Australian, who played well in Melbourne, missed out on a century. He scored 85 runs in Australia’s first innings.
Smith’s century took his tally to 8647 runs, the fourth highest in Australia’s Test cricket history. Ricky Ponting leads the list, followed by Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Smith.
Smith, along with Usman Khawaja, scored his fourth consecutive century in Sydney, starting with a 54* on day one. The duo combined for 209 off 377 balls against the visiting team.
Smith was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj after his century, the batsman hitting a full delivery from the bottom half of his bat straight into the hands of the bowler.
At the time of writing, Australia are 378/3 in 114 overs with Khawja and Travis Head in the middle. Australia will follow up with another win in the New Year Test after a clean sweep against South Africa.
