Steve Smith once again underlined his stature as one of modern cricket’s finest Test batters with a supreme innings of 136, controlling Australia’s first innings from start to finish in the second Test against Pakistan at Sydney. It was a knock built on precision, patience, and authority — the kind of performance that not only piles on runs but also drains the opposition mentally and physically.
From the moment Smith settled at the crease, the tone of the innings changed. Australia had laid a solid platform, but Smith’s arrival ensured there would be no release of pressure for Pakistan’s bowlers. Calm against the moving ball and decisive once set, he dictated the tempo without ever appearing rushed. His footwork was assured, his judgment outside off stump impeccable, and his ability to work the ball into gaps kept the scoreboard ticking relentlessly.
Smith’s control over the innings was evident in how he managed partnerships. Whether batting with established top-order players or shepherding the lower order, he adjusted seamlessly. He absorbed pressure when wickets fell at the other end and accelerated when bowlers showed signs of fatigue. The innings was a lesson in situational awareness — knowing when to defend, when to rotate strike, and when to punish loose deliveries.
Reaching his century was a milestone, but Smith did not settle for personal satisfaction. He pushed on with the same intensity, extending his innings to 136 and ensuring Australia’s total climbed into a position of outright dominance. The hallmark of his knock was consistency; there were no streaky boundaries or reckless strokes. Every run appeared earned, calculated, and purposeful.
Pakistan’s bowlers tried multiple plans — changing angles, varying pace, and adjusting fields — but Smith remained unmoved. His ability to pick length early and play late under his eyes neutralized swing and seam. Even as the ball softened, he continued to manipulate the field, turning singles into twos and forcing constant adjustments from the fielding side.
What made the innings particularly significant was its impact on the match context. Smith’s long stay at the crease allowed Australia to bat deep into Day 2, ultimately declaring at a massive total that placed Pakistan under extreme scoreboard pressure. By the time Smith departed, the contest had already tilted decisively in Australia’s favor.
Beyond the runs, the innings carried a psychological edge. For Pakistan, every over Smith batted felt like a missed opportunity; every boundary reinforced Australia’s authority at home. For Australia, it was a reassurance that their senior batter could still take complete control of a Test match when required.
Smith’s 136 was not flashy, but it was devastating in its effectiveness. It showcased why he remains the backbone of Australia’s Test batting — capable of batting time, scoring heavily, and shaping matches decisively. In a series already leaning Australia’s way, this innings further widened the gap.
As the match progressed, Smith’s knock stood out as the defining contribution of Australia’s innings — a performance rooted in discipline and dominance, and one that left Pakistan facing a steep uphill battle for the remainder of the Test.
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