1st Test: Smith ton takes Australia to strong position (Lunch Report)

Pune Feb 25 (IANS) Steven Smith led from the front with a century as Australia posted 285 in their second innings at lunch to move to a commanding position on the third day of the first Test against India here on Saturday.

Dropped by Ajinkya Rahane off Ravichandran Ashwin s bowling the Australian skipper went on to make the most of the reprieve to post 109 his first century in India.

He hit 11 boundaries during his 202-ball stay in the middle before being trapped leg before by Ravindra Jadeja.

Ashwin dismissed Steve O Keefe to put an end to Australia s second innings at the stroke of lunch. The visitors now have a lead of 440 runs.

Ashwin was the most successful among the Indian bowlers with figures of 4/119. Jadeja and fast bowler Umesh Yadav clinched three and two wickets respectively while rookie off-spinner Jayant Yadav had one scalp to his name

India started the day on a positive note with overnight batsman Mitchell Marsh offering a thick outside edge to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha off Jadeja s bowling.

But Smith and Matthew Wade got together to carry the visitors second innings past the 200-run mark.

Umesh Yadav who was impressive throughout the morning session got his reward when Mattthew Wade offered a thick edge to Saha.

The left-hander had got a reprieve earlier in the over when the ball took a slight touch of the toe end of the bat on its way into Saha s gloves.

Wade s departure saw Mitchell Starc join his captain in the middle and the two proceeded to put pressure on the hosts by scoring at a brisk rate.

The Indians however hit back by removing Smith Starc Nathan Lyon and O-Keefe in quick succession just ahead of the lunch break.

Brief scores:

Australia: 260 & 285 (Steven Smith 109; Ravichandran Ashwin 4/119 Ravindra Jadeja 3/65) vs India (First Innings): 105.

--IANS
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