Steve Smith struck his 36th Test century, placing Australia in a commanding position against their opponents. Achieving this feat at the crease, Smith played a masterful innings, reaching his hundred off 191 balls, including nine fours and one six. By the close of play, he remained unbeaten on 120, guiding Australia to a formidable 330-3 at stumps. This performance has given the team a first-innings lead of 73 runs.
Smith achieved his latest milestone in just 206 innings, making him the second fastest player to reach 36 Test centuries. The only player to outpace him is fellow Australian cricket legend, Ricky Ponting. This milestone also places Smith alongside cricket greats Joe Root and Rahul Dravid, marking the fifth most Test centuries in cricket history.
In recent form, Smith has been exceptional, amassing four hundreds in his last five Test matches. This consistency has been instrumental in Australia's dominance in the ongoing two-Test series, where they currently lead 1-0. Australia secured a convincing victory in the first match with an innings-and-242-run win, highlighting their prowess.
Contributing significantly to Australia's robust total was Alex Carey, who notched up his second Test century. Carey reached his hundred off 118 balls, showcasing his ability to play a crucial supporting role alongside Smith. Their collective efforts have strengthened Australia's position in the match and series.
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