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Head, Smith thwart India with tons to set up Australia

Joel GouldAAP
Travis Head and Steve Smith's centuries put Australia in a commanding position in the third Test. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconTravis Head and Steve Smith's centuries put Australia in a commanding position in the third Test. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

AUSTRALIA V INDIA, day two of the third Test at the Gabba :

SCORE: Australia 7-405.

SUMMARY: Travis Head demolished India with his second consecutive century of the series. Head's 152 off 160 deliveries turned the match in Australia's favour after he came to the crease at 3-75. Head and Steve Smith (101) added 241 for the fourth wicket while India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah captured 5-72.

THE MOMENT: Head's stunning knock came to an end when he was caught behind off Bumrah. A weary Bumrah held his arms aloft in jubilation at his 12th five-wicket haul as Head left the field to a standing ovation. It was a scene that encapsulated the sides' two best players of the series to date.

THE PLAYER: Smith's 33rd Test hundred and first since last year's Ashes was hard fought and a tribute to how hard he has worked on his game. It wasn't a fluent knock early but towards the end of the innings he showed signs of recapturing his best form.

THE STAT: Australia reached 400 in a Test innings for the first time in exactly one year, last doing so against Pakistan in Perth in 2023.

THE PIC:

The Game Cricket 2024-25

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