Sports
Clarke, Smith hit Test tons as rain plays spoilsport
Adelaide: Captain Michael Clarke recorded his 28th Test century to take Australia to 473 for six in 111 overs as play was once again halted due to rain after an early tea on the second day of the first Test against India at the Adelaide Oval here Wednesday.
Intermittent showers have played spoilsport all through the day. The rain came pouring down to stop play for the third time in the day with the Australians ruthlessly dominating a hapless Indian bowling attack.
Steven Smith had smashed 21 boundaries for his unbeaten 142 while Clarke was batting on 109.
Clarke, who retired hurt due to back spasm Tuesday at an individual score of 60, battled pain to fend off the Indian bowlers and his game was helped by the rain-forced breaks as only 14.1 overs were possible till tea.
Before rain stopped the play for the second time, Steven Smith, with an overnight score of 75 also scored century – his fifth to get the home team scoreboard ticking.
Till tea, Australia were 423 for six with skipper Clarke on 98 and Smith on 103.
Wednesday’s play started 10 minutes late as overnight batsman Smith walked out with skipper Clarke and the duo did well to help their team reach the 400-run mark before drizzle forced another break.
After Mohammed Shami bowled four deliveries to complete the 90th over, Smith started the day with a cut through backward point off a short ball from Ishant Sharma. He again hit Ishant with a two, cracking punch through covers as the Indian persisted with short and wide deliveries.
Clarke also hit couple of boundaries off Shami. Even though he lacked in footwork and body movement due to the injury that has been troubling him in last couple of years, Clarke trusted his class and experience to keep the Indians at bay. He stood at the crease to fend off the Indian pacers, who were short on discipline and fire.
On the other hand, the 25-year-old Smith utilized the space of the crease to nice effect and played a confident knock.
He reached his three figures by tucking a Shami delivery towards the deep mid-wicket for a couple.
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.
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