Captain Michael Clarke defied a back injury and grief over the death of Phillip Hughes to post an inspirational century as Australia took charge of the first Test against India yesterday.
Supported by Steve Smith’s unbeaten 162, Clarke retired hurt on 60 on day one, but after receiving painkilling injections, returned to compile 128 in one of his bravest knocks.
On a rain-disrupted second day in Adelaide, the skipper’s 28th Test ton came in his first innings since Hughes was tragically killed by a blow to the head while batting in Sydney last month.
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The centuries by Clarke and Smith, coupled with David Warner’s ton on Tuesday, left the hosts on 517 for seven and in command against a bedraggled India attack.
Clarke was out late in the day for 128 off 163 balls with 18 fours and put on 163 runs for the seventh wicket with Smith.
Smith enhanced his growing stature in the Australia set-up with his highest Test score — his fifth Test hundred and his fourth in his last 15 Test innings.
“We’re all good mates with Hughesy, us three [Clarke and Warner], so I was sort of hoping all three of us would get runs. It’s nice to be in that position with 517 on the board in the first innings,” Smith said. “I know that’s what Hughesy would have wanted, all of us to be out here doing the job and he was with me, Pup [Clarke] and Warner all the way this innings.”
It was tough going for the tourists in the gloom, with only 30.4 overs possible in between the day’s three lengthy rain delays.
Clarke made his surprise return to the crease at the outset and despite batting in discomfort, provided dependable support for Smith after the clatter of three wickets in the last five overs on day one.
The captain grimaced and yelped in pain as he twisted his torso to play some shots, and his running between the wickets was constrained, but he and Smith gradually took control, hitting out late in the day as India faltered.
Clarke brought up his ton with a single off his pads, taking off his helmet and kissing its emblem in a subdued celebration, to the acclaim of an admiring crowd.
Smith sealed his determined century off the first ball after lunch, clipping off his pads for two. He jogged away from the wicket and pointed toward the “408” — Hughes’ Test cap number — painted on the playing surface, before raising his bat and looking skyward in his own salute to the batsman.
“I had that long [rain] break on 98 and I thought if I got the two more runs it would be nice to go over there to the 408 and stick my bat in the air and say thanks to Hughesy for being with me all the way out there,” Smith said.
He then shared a long hug with batting partner Clarke, who also embraced Warner when the opener reached his century on day one.
Smith’s assured century again highlighted the rapid development of the 25-year-old right-hander.
He took 23 Test innings to reach his maiden century, but has had four more in his past 15 innings.
India’s fielding deteriorated late in the day, with Smith dropped three times and a mis-stumping by Wriddhiman Saha, while Clarke was also put down before he was caught by Cheteshwar Pujara.
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