steve smith On the second day, he raised his status even higher. SCG Testas hosts continue to wither South Africa, passing the marks of three Australian batting wonders.
The former national captain then gave a notable retirement tip suggesting he could not play another Test in Australia.
ace Osman Hodja In pursuit of his first Test in a double century on Thursday, Smith has compiled 104 laps from 192 balls to beat Matthew Hayden (8625 runs) and Michael Clarke (8643) on Australia’s all-time Test runs list and is currently fourth.
READ MORE: Zampa’s only ‘regret’ over controversial act
READ MORE: Australian Open rejects calls to ban top players
READ MORE: Kyrgios’ manager shoots at suspects of injury
The new South Welsh has risen to third place on the all-time Australian Test captains list, beating Sir Donald Bradman’s 29th Test century tally and notching his 30th.
It’s summer’s second Test century as Australia climbs 131 tops 4-475 with logs.
Smith made an Anrich Nortje delivery for the four backs of the square to reveal his century, before raising his helmet and club to cheer from the SCG crowd.
Two balls later, the champion right-handed finished with a 104 hit with 11 fours and two sixes when he returned the ball to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Allan Border, second on the list of top scorers in the Australian Test, was in action on the Fox Cricket broadcast when Smith hit triple-digit numbers.
«It’s an important moment for him and especially for the team,» Border said.
«What a beautiful performance by Steve Smith.
“It’s a great shot that marks an important milestone for him: a shot that hits, rumbling away from behind the frame.
«And the celebrations began.»
Smith was unsure when asked if he would appear in another Australian Test summer.
«I don’t know. We’ll see,» Smith said at a press conference after the game.
«I’m enjoying it right now.
«I really can’t say how long I’m going to play. I’m not sure.
“Take a tour at a time. Just enjoy it and enjoy studying and trying to get better.
«I’m happy to play while doing that.
«But I don’t know how long it will take.»
Khawaja finished the day in 195 out of 368 in SCG. Twin Centuries hit in 2022 New Year’s Test.
Khawaja receives third consecutive SCG tone
Although Khawaja broke LeBron James’s trademark «silencer» move after scoring the first of two centuries at last year’s Sydney Test, he performed a more understated dance after running back two seconds on Thursday.
Khawaja went beyond his previous Test best 174 against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2015 and looked determined to beat his career-high first-class score of 214, but more rain would come to stop his offense.
Khawaja was greeted with fireworks at the other end of the field and watched as Travis Head hit his stick from 59 to 79.
Khawaja and the recalled Queenslander Matthew Renshaw (5) will resume on day three.
Australia has been pushing for a series of whitewash and first Test series victories against South Africa in Australia since the summer of 2005-06.
Pat Cummins’ men beat South Africa by this margin: Six wickets in Brisbane and by An innings and 182 runs in Melbourne.
For a daily dose of the best breaking news and exclusive content from the Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by: click here!
How well do you remember the most important sports moments of 2022?
#Australia #South #Africa #cricket #Test #Steve #Smith #Usman #Khawaja #retirement #points