Steve Smith eclipsed a Don Bradman record by powering a furious Australian run chase to set a massive target for India in the final Sydney Test on Friday
Steve Smith breaks Don Bradman's record
Steve Smith eclipsed a Don Bradman record by powering a furious Australian run chase to set a massive target for India in the final Sydney Test on Friday.
The Australian skipper with the Midas touch went helter-skelter after the runs in a bid for a declaration to pursue the home side's third victory in the four-match series on Saturday's final day.
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Smith, backed by four centuries, passed Bradman's 1947/48 record of 715 for most Australian runs in a series against India with a frenetic 71 off 70 balls. The skipper, who was given out leg before wicket to Mohammed Shami, finished the series with 769 runs at an average of 128.16.
Australian captain Steven Smith walks back to the dressing room after being dismissed by Mohammed Shami during day four of the fourth Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. Pic/AFP
"To lead from the front the way he does and also to do it in all sorts of situations, it's great to watch," Burns said of his skipper.
"There aren't too many batters in the world better at the moment, so it's just great to watch." Burns said Australia was in a strong position to go on and win the Test. "The wicket spun and I think it will only get harder to bat on as the game goes on," he said.
"We'll come out tomorrow and I'm sure we're going to create 10 opportunities. It's just a case of taking all 10."
Smith's series in figures
- Steven Smith has amassed 769 runs at an average of 128.16 - the highest by a player in a four-Test series - the third highest by any player in four Tests in a series behind West Indies' Vivian Richards (829 at an average of 118.42 in four Tests vs England in 1976. He had not played in the Lord's Test) and India's Sunil Gavaskar (774 runs at an average of 154.80 in four Tests vs West Indies in 1970-71, having made his Test debut in the second Test at Port of Spain)
- Smith's aggregate is now the highest by any batsman in a Test series between India and Australia, outstripping Don Bradman's 715 (ave.178.75) in five Tests in 1947-48.
Virat Kohli breaks Rahul Dravid's record
Indian skipper Virat Kohli's tally of 639 runs is a record by any batsman against Australia in four Tests in Australia.
India lost the wickets of Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha in the morning session. Kohli's hopes of building an even bigger innings evaporated in the fifth over of the day when he fell to Ryan Harris. He clipped low to Rogers at mid-wicket and threw back his head in anguish before slowly departing with 147 off 230 balls including 20 fours.
It was the new India skipper's fourth century of the series, equalling Australian counterpart Smith's achievement. It also took Kohli's series aggregate to a record 646 at an average of 92.28, eclipsing Rahul Dravid's 619 for India against Australia in 2003/04.
Dubious record for Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav has recorded a run-rate of 4.66 in the series - the worst by an Indian bowler (minimum 600 balls). The said run-rate is the third worst in a Test series behind West Indian, Fidel Edwards' 4.81 vs South Africa in 2003-04 and Australia's Brett Lee's 4.72 vs India in 2003-04.
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