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Smith strikes fourth straight ton

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Australia increased their stranglehold on the fourth Test against India as captain Steven Smith scored his fourth century of the series, matching the record held by Sir Donald Bradman and Jacques Kallis.

On day two at the Sydney Cricket Ground Smith, skipper while Michael Clarke recovers from a hamstring injury, made 117 to lead Australia to 572 for seven declared in their first innings, with India closing on 71 for one.

A draw in the third Test had already wrapped up the series, while a strong day one - which saw David Warner register his 11th Test hundred - was built on to leave India with an uphill struggle if they are register a victory in the four-match series.

The hosts started steadily before Smith opened up his shoulders and began to find the boundary with Shane Watson seemingly happy to play a supporting role.

The stand-in captain made sure that he had registered a century in the first innings of every Test this series with a four through midwicket and he raised his bat to the skies in a tribute to Phillip Hughes.

Watson looked on course for three figures but will have been disappointed as he pulled a short ball from Mohammed Shami straight to Ravichandran Ashwin to depart for 81 and halt the partnership on 196.

Australia stand-in skipper Steven Smith continues his sensational series with a fourth hundred, all of which have come in the first innings

Smith's stay ended not long after as he failed to move his feet on the drive and got a regulation edge through to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.

Smith had earlier survived a drop and in the next over it was Shaun Marsh who got away with one. Marsh and Joe Burns regathered some momentum after lunch and made sure of a third hundred partnership of the match.

Burns then brought up his maiden Test half-century before Shami had Marsh caught behind for 73.

That brought veteran Brad Haddin to the crease and he lifted his first ball back over Shami's head for six.

Burns fell for 58 to Shami shortly after tea and Ryan Harris then hit five fours in an entertaining nine-ball 25 before Shami struck again for a five-for to prompt the declaration.

Australia made the perfect start with the ball when Murali Vijay flashed at a wide delivery and edged Mitchell Starc behind for a three-ball duck.

The hosts could not follow that up, however, as India dug in with Lokesh Rahul ending the day unbeaten on 31 and Rohit Sharma 40 not out.


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