Australia vs India: Steve Smith’s century puts hosts in control at MCG

Steve Smith continued his revival with a magnificent century as he and the Australian bowlers put the hosts well ahead after the second day of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne.

After ending a streak of 26 Test innings without a ton in the third Test in Brisbane, Smith followed up with an aggressive score of 140, helping Australia to a score of 474 in their first innings.

It was the 34-year-old’s 34th Test century and took him to seventh place on the all-time list, in a five-man group that includes Brian Lara and Sunil Gavaskar.

Smith’s victory included a crucial 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket with captain Pat Cummins, who scored 49.

Smith was eventually sent off in bizarre fashion when he charged towards Akash deep and the ball hit the pads from an inside edge before rolling into his leg stump.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s poor form with the bat continued as he scored just three off the bowling of Cummins early in India’s reply.

Just before tea, Australian captain KL Rahul bowled a beauty to leave India reeling at 51-2.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli steadied the innings with a pair of 102 before Jaiswal was bowled out for 82 after a desperate mix-up.

Scott Boland then removed Kohli for 36 and deep for a duck as India ended up limping to 164-5, still trailing by 310 runs. Before Jaiswal’s dismissal, they were doing well at 153-2.

The five-match series is tied at 1-1 with both teams looking to win it 3-1 to secure a place in the World Test Championship final.