Steve Smith cuts through the MCG mire to add another day of wonderstats | Adam Collins

With Australia wobbling on the final day their captain took complete control with yet another imperious century

For the briefest moment, it looked as if it might have all been worth it. That after four days of tedium, there might be a grandstand finish on the most undeserving of pitches. When David Warner inexplicably threw it away after 301 minutes of discipline, then Shaun Marsh edged on the stroke of lunch, Australia were essentially 14 for four with a long while to survive.

Steve Smith decided otherwise. When walking from the field at the long break, he throttled the bat’s splice as he does when filthy at his own demise. Australia’s captain is often let down by his collapse-prone list, as recently as three days ago when his dismissal sparked a loss of seven for 67. This time, he alone controlled the trajectory of the game. A responsibility he relishes.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2DAxr4s