Australia took control of the third Test against India at the Gabba, thanks to remarkable centuries from Steve Smith and Travis Head. Overcoming early setbacks, the duo crafted a formidable partnership of 241 runs for the fourth wicket, propelling Australia to 405 runs for the loss of seven wickets at the close of play on day two.
After rain curtailed the first day to just 13.2 overs, Australia resumed their innings at 28 without loss. Early breakthroughs from India's Jasprit Bumrah brought tension, as he dismissed Usman Khawaja for 21 and Nathan McSweeney for just 9 runs. Soon, Marnus Labuschagne fell prey to Nitish Kumar Reddy, edging to Virat Kohli for 12, leaving the hosts struggling at 75 for 3.
Smith entered the crease with palpable pressure, but he and Head joined forces to stabilize the innings. Head, displaying aggressive intent, brought up his half-century at 71 balls and continued to build on his previous performance, eventually notching his ninth Test hundred. Smith, who had faced considerable challenges over 26 innings since his last century, reached the milestone of 101 runs, marking his 33rd Test hundred, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Reflecting on his century, Smith mentioned his belief throughout his recent struggles, stating, "It was nice to get to three figures. It has been awhile. It was cool to contribute to the team." His knock came to fruition after adapting his technique, particularly batting out of his crease on the bouncy Gabba pitch, which he praised for assisting his game plan.
While Smith acknowledged his luck during the innings, he also credited the work he had put in during training leading to the match, emphasizing the notion of patience as key to his turnaround. "I rode my luck today, got beaten by a few, but I’ve played long enough to know the game turns. You’ve got to keep the faith,” he said.
Travis Head, on the other hand, has been enjoying a renaissance since taking more liberties with his batting style. He reached 152 runs from 160 balls, exhibiting freedom and confidence rarely seen before his tenure with former Australian coach Justin Langer. Smith commented on Head’s ability to flourish, emphasizing, "He has got an unbelievable eye, and the areas off which he scores make it tough to place fielders strategically against him." This remarkable innings affirmed his development as he continued to challenge bowlers, forcing them to alter their strategies as he targeted both leg-side and off-side shots.
Despite Bumrah's impressive late rally, returning figures of 5 for 72, it was too little too late to rattle the Australians. Bumrah expressed later how they had to evolve their strategy to counteract Smith and Head's mounting partnership. Meanwhile, Akash Deep impressed Smith, who remarked, "I thought Akash bowled really nicely, particularly his first spell. He was getting the ball to move with significant movement... He has got some skill there for sure."
With the momentum firmly behind Australia, the team concluded day two at 405 for 7, offering optimism heading to the following days of this pivotal third Test, which offers both teams opportunities to assert dominance.
Smith's recent performance clearly showcases the ups and downs of cricket, with the player previously enduring struggles, facing criticism, and now experiencing the resurgence of form. Although the game remains unpredictable, this pair of performances by Smith and Head undoubtedly puts Australia back on track as the series remains tightly contested at 1-1 after the previous matches, with Australia winning the day-night Test and India claiming victory at Perth.
Looking forward, the challenge lies for the rest of the batting order and the bowling attack as they aim to capitalize on this pivotal moment and build on their current standing. The approach will be to maintain pressure and test the Indian lineup, especially under the guidance of their seasoned bowlers.
