Aussie run machine Steve Smith does it again
Match-winning century helps steer home side to comfortable win in Cricket World Cup semi-final, with India unable to cope with the pressure
Steve Smith's golden summer just keeps on getting better. Australia's new run-scoring machine just can't seem to do any wrong and now he is off to the World Cup final.
Smith has been piling up the runs and breaking records all summer. And on Thursday, in one of the biggest matches of his blossoming career, he did it again, scoring a match-winning century in the semi-final against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Smith's 105 was a composed and perfectly constructed innings. He came to the crease early after Australia lost David Warner in the fourth over and quickly settled the host nation's nerves.
It's going to be an amazing moment, to play a World Cup final against New Zealand at the MCG. Can't wait to get down there
The 25-year-old reached his fourth straight half century at the World Cup in 53 balls then his hundred off 89 balls, which he brought up with a six and a four off successive balls.
He departed soon after, but the job had been done. Australia went on to post a massive total of 328-7 and India could manage only 233 in reply.
"We thought 330 was around par. We knew we had to bowl and field well," Smith said after being named man of the match. "The boys did a terrific job. Bring on Melbourne."
Australia skipper Michael Clarke heaped praise on Smith.
"I feel really excited. Smithy was exceptional once again, and I was really proud of the execution of our bowlers," said Clarke after the convincing win, which also saw Mitchell Starc take two for 28 in 8.5 overs and James Faulkner three for 59 in nine.
