Australian captain Smith praises tailenders

Brisbane, Dec 19 (IANS) Australian captain Steven Smith, while himself leading from the front with a second century (133) in as many Tests, Friday praised his team's tailenders for showing maturity and giving him company, an effort that put the hosts comfortably placed after Day Three in the second cricket Test here.

Smith shared an epic 148-run partnership with pacer Mitchell Johnson (88) for the seventh wicket, a stand that helped the hosts recover from an uncomfortable 247 for 6 to an imposing 505.

"We were six down for 247 and the Indian bowlers were bowling really well. Johnson came out, took them on and played some terrific cricket. Our whole tail batted beautifully and to take us to 505 was remarkable," Smith said.

"It is tough in this heat for the bowlers and we faced the same thing in our first bowling innings. When your tail bats like that it is always a nightmare for the opposition. So, credit to our boys. We had a good day of cricket and we hope to start well in the morning tomorrow."

With India trailing by 26 runs at the end of the third day and with nine wickets remaining to be taken, Smith wants his bowlers to make early inroads on the fourth morning to set up a winning chase. 

"The wicket is still playing well and not doing many tricks. So the boys have to come out tomorrow and do what we did the other morning when we took six wickets in the first session of the second day," he said.

"It's again about being patient and putting the ball in the right area."