sports.ndtv.com - Steve Smith Moves Past Australia Great, Sets Eyes On Ricky Ponting For Elusive Record

Steve Smith Moves Past Australia Great, Sets Eyes On Ricky Ponting For Elusive Record

Steven Smith returned to his peak just at the right moment, making a big statement amid his lean form by hammering his 33rd Test century for Australia in Brisbane. While Travis Head went on with his business in his usual destructive sense of the game, Smith took the anchor's role throughout their electrifying 241-run partnership. He bid his time, decided to tread with caution and played a picture-perfect Test knock straight out of the classic cricket textbooks. His 101 runs from 190 deliveries had everything, including elegance, balance, technique and class.

Travis Head, Steve Smith Tons Decimate India On Day 2; Jasprit Bumrah Shines With 5-Wicket Haul

Travis Head continued to bully India by smashing a second successive hundred while Steve Smith clawed his way back to form with his 33rd century as Australia reached an imposing 405 for 7 at the end of second day of the third Test here Sunday. Head, who cracked 140 in the previous Test, hit a brilliant 152 off just 160 balls and added 241 runs for the fourth wicket with Smith (101 off 190 balls), who scored one of his more laboured hundreds in the traditional format. For India, Jasprit Bumrah (5/72) stood out from the pack with his 12th five-wicket haul while Akash Deep (0/78) despite bowling well was distinctly unlucky.

New Zealand Power To 340-Run Lead In Third Test As England Crumble

England's hopes of a series clean sweep all but evaporated on Sunday as they capitulated on day two of the third Test to trail New Zealand by 340 runs. The home side skittled England for 143 before reaching 136-3 by stumps in their second innings in Hamilton, enjoying easily their best day of a series in which they had been outplayed until now. Kane Williamson was at the crease on 50 and Rachin Ravindra two. Williamson put on 89 for the second wicket with Will Young (60) following the departure of captain Tom Latham for 19.

Zero To Hero: Travis Head Enters History Books With Unique Test Record During 3rd Game

India's bane and Australia's boon, Travis Head, became the first batter to bag a King Pair and century at a venue in the same calendar year. The Gabba considered Australia's fortress, wasn't Head's favourite playground when he turned up to face the West Indies in the day-night Test earlier this year. He was dismissed for a golden duck twice, a 'King Pair' at The Gabba before stepping into the venue once again on Sunday in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. When up against his favourite opposition, Head brought thunder down the ground with an explosive display with the bat. Before the southpaw's arrival, the pitch, which appeared to bowler's heaven, quickly evaporated and turned into their worst nightmare.

India Defeat Japan 3-1 To Enter Women's Junior Asia Cup Hockey Final

Defending champions India asserted their dominance with a 3-1 victory over Japan to secure a place in the final of the Women's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Muscat on Saturday. Mumtaz Khan (4th), Sakshi Rana (5th), Deepika (13th) were on target in the first quarter, while Niko Maruyama scored a consolation goal for Japan in the 23rd minute. It was a one-way traffic for the Jyoti Singh-led India in the opening quarter after Sunelita Toppo foiled Japan's drag-flick opportunity by making a quick run to intercept a threatening ball in the second minute of play.

Watch: Singer Diljit Dosanjh Dedicates Chandigarh Concert To World Chess Champion D Gukesh

Punjabi singing sensation Diljit Dosanjh dedicated his Chandigarh concert to D Gukesh, praising the newly crowned world chess champion for turning his dream into a reality. Indian Grandmaster Gukesh on Thursday became the youngest world chess champion at 18 years after beating title-holder Ding Liren from China. Diljit, who performed a show in Chandigarh on Saturday as part of his "Dil-Luminati India Tour 2024", shared a video from his speech on his official Instagram page.

Video: Mohammed Siraj, Rohit Sharma's Blunder Earns Them "Dumb" Tag By Australia Great

As Travis Head and Steve Smith put giant runs on the board on Day 2 of the third Test at the Gabba, Indian players' shoulders dropped and so did skipper Rohit Sharma's ability to think clearly. Be it Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, or Nitish Reddy, none of the pacers seemed to have the strategy to break the Head-Smith partnership. During one of the overs from Siraj, his and skipper Rohit's field placement was also branded 'dumb' by none other than Australia great Simon Katich.

"Just Missed His Face": Ramiz Raja Makes Startling Comment As Shaheen Afridi Avoids Serious Injury

Former Pakistan cricketer and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said a rather controversial line during commentary of his nation's second T20I game against South Africa. During the game, pacer Shaheen Afridi was hit on the shoulder by a powerful shot by South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen in the 17th over. It was a lucky escape for Shaheen, who could have suffered a serious injury had the ball hit his face. After treatment from the physio, Shaheen was able to complete his over. However, Ramiz Raja made a startling remark on commentary.

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Steve Smith Moves Past Australia Great, Sets Eyes On Ricky Ponting For Elusive Record

Travis Head, Steve Smith Tons Decimate India On Day 2; Jasprit Bumrah Shines With 5-Wicket Haul

New Zealand Power To 340-Run Lead In Third Test As England Crumble

Zero To Hero: Travis Head Enters History Books With Unique Test Record During 3rd Game

India Defeat Japan 3-1 To Enter Women's Junior Asia Cup Hockey Final

Watch: Singer Diljit Dosanjh Dedicates Chandigarh Concert To World Chess Champion D Gukesh

Video: Mohammed Siraj, Rohit Sharma's Blunder Earns Them "Dumb" Tag By Australia Great

"Just Missed His Face": Ramiz Raja Makes Startling Comment As Shaheen Afridi Avoids Serious Injury