SYDNEY: Another pulsating Steve Smith century and two flying outfieldcatches clinched the one-day international (ODI) series for Australia witha 51-run victory over India in Sydney on Sunday.
Smith tormented India with his second blistering hundred in as many matchesas Australia posted another huge target, reaching 389-4 off 50 overs.
The Australians then restricted India to 338-9 from their 50 overs withVirat Kohli falling on 89 to a magnificent Moises Henriques catch when themaster batsman was closing in on a century.
Smith followed up his 105 off 66 balls in Friday’s first ODI victory withan equally dominant 104 off 64 balls as the Indians couldn’t stem the runson a slow-paced Sydney Cricket Ground pitch in searing conditions.
The total surpassed Australia’s 374 for six which set up Friday’s 66-runcrushing win in the first ODI on the same ground and was the third-highesttotal scored against India.
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“I felt good from ball one. Got myself in and went hard,” Smith said. “Itwas another great foundation set by Finchy and Davey (Warner). That enabledmyself and Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) to go hard at the back end.”
It was India’s fifth consecutive ODI defeat — for the first time sinceJanuary 2016 — with the tourists now bidding to prevent a series whitewashin Wednesday’s final game in Canberra.
“They have outplayed us. We were ineffective with the ball, and didn’t hitthe areas,” Kohli said.
