Even by his own lofty standards, Steve Smith knows he had raised the bar when he raised the bat in Pune. <\/p>\n
Australian captain Smith has given a frank insight into the \"trance\" he entered while scoring a century during the first Test against India in Pune. <\/p>\n
The second-innings knock of 109 featured several chances, as can be expected on a pitch branded \"poor\" by the match referee. It had been leadership personified and one of many recent examples of why Smith is regarded so highly. <\/p>\n
Aiming to make it six tons from six consecutive Tests against India, Smith said everything clicked and he was \"in the zone\" during the first Test. <\/p>\n
\"I was doing things that I probably haven't done before. My eyes were sort of spinning and I was in a bit of a trance,\" Smith recalled on the eve of the second Test, starting on Saturday in Bangalore. <\/p>\n
\"I've been there a couple of times in that kind of mindset. For me, it was just such an important period of the game and I knew, if we could get (a lead of) 300 or over that .. we'd be a real good chance to win. <\/p>\n
\"That afternoon, I was very determined and focused on the job at hand, to try and get as many as we could. <\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, I can bring that next level and next gear out. It was pleasing to know I had that level in me.\" <\/p>\n
Smith could tick off another important milestone during the 2nd Test. The right-hander needs a further 112 runs to celebrate 5000 Test runs. <\/p>\n
If the 27-year-old achieves that tally in his next innings, the 95th of his Test career, it will mean only Don Bradman and Jack Hobbs have reached the milestone in fewer knocks. <\/p>\n
Smith's Test batting average in Border-Gavaskar contests stands at 88.83. No player from either country has achieved such a high number, with Ravi Shastri (77.75) and David Boon (70.82) next in line. <\/p>\n
Coach Darren Lehmann regarded Smith's recent knock as the best of his 18 Test tons, given the captain batted the top-ranked Test side out of the contest on a raging turner, prepared to suit India's two star spinners. <\/p>\n
\"I haven't seen him so determined,\" Lehmann said. <\/p>\n
If Smith continues to lead from the front during the four-Test series, it will trigger more debate about where he sits on the list of Australia's greatest batsmen. <\/p>\n
Last month, Smith joined Bradman as one of four players to average more than 60 with the bat through 50 Tests. <\/p>\n
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Smith entered 'trance' in captain's ton - The West Australian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Even by his own lofty standards, Steve Smith knows he had raised the bar when he raised the bat in Pune. Australian captain Smith has given a frank insight into the \"trance\" he entered while scoring a century during the first Test against India in Pune Continue reading