Steve Smith: Australia and the West Indies are engaged in a two-match Test series, with the first game underway at Perth Stadium. After winning the toss, Australia decided to bat first and ended Day 1 in a strong position of 293/2, with Marnus Labuschagne on 154 and Steve Smith at 59. Both batters started Day 2 at the same time, not scoring runs at will.
Labuschagne reached his second double century of his career and got out after scoring 204 runs with 20 boundaries and one six. His first double hundred came in January 2020 against New Zealand when he scored 215. On the other hand, Smith also grabbed the opportunity with both hands and scored his second century in the last three innings, after his 145 not out in July against Sri Lanka at Galle.
AUS vs WI: Steve Smith joins Don Bradman with a huge record
It was the 29th Test century for the former Australian captain. He also equals Australian legend Don Bradman in terms of most Test centuries for Australia. Bradman scored his 29th century in 52 tests, while Smith has taken 88 tests to do so. Smith is just behind Ricky Ponting (41), Steve Waugh (32) and Mathew Hayden (31). He and Labuschagne combined for a 251-run third-wicket stand to put Australia in control.
Australia lost the wicket of David Warner (5) early in their innings. After that, Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne added 142 runs for the second wicket on Day 1. Khawaja made 65 runs. Jayden Seales, Kyle Mayers, and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite took one wicket each for the West Indies. Smith is also looking for to get his double century as well. He will be eyeing another milestone. As per the latest score, Australia is at 512/3 with Smith (165) and Travis Head (49) at the crease.
How many centuries has Don Bradman hit in his career?
Bradman scored 29 test centuries, including 12 double centuries and 13 fifties, for 6996 runs in 52 tests at an average of 99.94.