Third test: Smith and Maxwell set the tone for Oz on day 1

Ranchi: Batting first at the JSCA international stadium after winning the toss, Australia posted 299 runs on board at the expense of four wickets at stumps on day one of the third Test of the four-match series here today.

Loosing early wickets at the first first session, Australia came back strong in the last two sessions of the day based on the unbeaten 159-run partnership of between Steven Smith & Glenn Maxwell.Skipper Steve Smith scored 117 runs from 244 balls while Glenn Maxwell supported him well to bring up his maiden test fifty and scoring 82 runs off 147balls.

This was Smith's 19th test ton.Earlier in the first session, Matt Renshaw and David Warner began on an aggressive note as he duo started hitting the ball freely.But Warner was soon removed by Ravindra Jadeja as Jadeja plucked a stunner from the air.Warner (19 off 26) failed to impress yet again.Umesh Yadav was brought back to get a breakthrough as Steve Smith and Renshaw started to stitch up a partnership.Yadav picked up a set Renshaw's wicket who scored 44 off 69 balls.India's spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin then sent Shaun Marsh back who managed 2 runs.

Pujara took a brilliant catch at short leg.In the second session of the day, Australia made a promising comeback where the lone wicket of Peter Handscomb (19) was picked up by Umesh Yadav. (UNI)