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Steve Smith continues to torment India

26th March, 2015
2

When Steve Smith trudged off the SCG following a game-turning century in Australia’s Cricket World Cup semi-final, you could almost hear India’s relief at finally seeing the last of him.

After tormenting the visitors all summer, Smith continued the punishment with a timely 105 as the sides battled for a spot in the final against New Zealand.

It was Smith’s fifth century against India since they arrived on Australian shores in November.

He dug the Australians out of early trouble before being dismissed off the bowling of Umesh Yadav in the 35th over, with the home team at 2-197.

Smith brought up his first ton of the tournament in style, hitting Mohammed Shami for two fours and one six in four balls in the 33rd over.

It took him only 89 balls to reach his century before being caught by Rohit Sharma at deep square leg after mistiming a hook.

Smith punished the Indian bowlers, who were often wayward with their line. His knock included 11 fours and two sixes as he took his World Cup tournament total to 346 runs at an average of 57.66.

“We thought 300 was around par and we knew we had to bowl and field well and the boys did a terrific job tonight – bring on Melbourne,” Smith said as he accepted the man-of-the-match award.

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“It’s nice to contribute to a few wins, it was a pretty big stage tonight the semi-final of a World Cup and I was just happy that we got over the line in the end.

“I am just really happy where everything is at at the moment. I’m just looking forward to Melbourne now – it’s going to be one hell of a day.”

He offered the Indians few opportunities in his 93-ball stay at the crease. Ravi Ashwin drew an inside edge off Smith in the 18th over, but it was only a half-chance.

After Smith and Aaron Finch (81) came together at 1-15, they went about steadying the innings with a 182-run stand. The Indians at times seemed to lose their cool over their inability to remove Smith – he and Rohit Sharma had words after the visitors wasted a review on a lbw appeal against Finch.

Smith capped his night with a memorable run-out of Ravindra Jadeja with a direct hit before urging captain Michael Clarke to review a Mitchell Starc ball to Ajinkya Rahane which was successful.

After a golden Test summer in which Smith plundered 769 runs at 128.16, he carried his form into the one-dayers.

He has hit 826 runs in 14 ODI innings since November.

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The Allan Border Medal winner has been a model of consistency in that time, failing to reach 30 runs on only three occasions.

After averaging 84.66 against South Africa and 75.33 in the Tri-Series against India and England, he has scored at 57.66 in the World Cup.

“He really is playing good cricket, isn’t he?” Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen said on ABC radio.

“He’s a man in form.”

Thorn in the side
Steve Smith’s innings against India since December:

* Adelaide Test: 162*, 52*

* Brisbane Test: 133, 28

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* Melbourne Test: 192, 14

* Sydney Test: 117, 71

* Tri-Series ODI: 47

* World Cup: 105

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