Watch - Crowd Goes Berserk As Steve Smith Gets Off The Mark After 38 Balls
Published - 03 Jan 2020, 11:59 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 06:33 AM
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Australia have made another confident start after opting to bat first in the third and the final Test against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith added 100+ runs for the third wicket to set the platform as the hosts look to inflict a whitewash over the Kiwis after pocketing the series 2-0 in the last game in Melbourne.
The Black Caps came into this game without their regular skipper Kane Williamson and Trent Boult. While Williamson is down with flu, Boult sustained an injury during the last match and returned home for further rehabilitation. As a result, Tom Latham came out for New Zealand during the toss, who becomes the 30th skipper to lead the country in Tests.
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Steve Smith looks to break the shackles
Australian openers Joe Burns and David Warner looked strong in the opening hour before Colin de Grandhomme drew the first blood. But Warner looked strong alongside Marnus Labuschagne, who is in the form of his life. But Neil Wagner, who has been the only positive for New Zealand in the series, removed the southpaw, five short of his fifty to have the host at 95 for two.
But since then, Labuschagne combined well with Steve Smith to take Australia out of danger. However, initially, Smith lacked confidence and took 39 deliveries to score his first run. Smith, who has not been in his usual best in the series, took 44 minutes to get off the strike finally. The crowd went wild as the No. 2 Test batsman opened his account and cheered him while Wagner gave him a fist as Smith completed the run.
Meanwhile, Australia are currently placed strongly at 222 for two, with Marnus Labuschagne batting on 103 while Smith has brought his fifty and will hope to make it count.
Watch the video here:
Smith off the mark after 39 balls ???
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