Smith steadies Australia and Head puts India to sword on day of two centuries Steve Smith, Gabba, century.
Three moments were closest: a swinging Mohammed Siraj yorker that he got a corner of timber to; a ball padded away that was umpire’s call on kissing the off bail; and an inside edge that cleared the stumps and beat the keeper’s glove.
More surprising given the way that contemporary Smith has been grinding away for a long while without notable success, an engine revving that won’t turn over.
Through his first 30 runs today, into his third hour either side of the lunch break, Smith looked close to falling time and again.
England in 2017 was a masterpiece of concentration, 326 balls faced, striking at barely 40, batting eight and a half hours to hold together an innings that was slipping away.
