SYDNEY: Steve Smith was the man-of-the-match and the man of all the crucial moments as Australia downed defending champions India by 95 runs to reach the World Cup final on Thursday.

Smith, the golden boy of Australian cricket, slammed 105 off 93 balls for his first World Cup century and fourth ton in ODIs to continue his prolific batting form since his switch to No 3 in Australia’s one-day team as his side piled up 328-7 at the SCG. It was also his fifth century in seven games against India this season, taking his total to 921 runs.

In the field, his golden touch was also shining through.

Smith insisted on skipper Michael Clarke going after a review for a caught behind on Ajinkya Rahane (44) that was confirmed by ‘Snicko’ and given out.

He was fielding at extra cover at the time and it was his confidence that Rahane’s bat had made contact even though wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who took the catch, did not appeal.

Five overs later, he was responsible for a direct hit which ran out Ravindra Jadeja for 16 which left India on 208-6.

“We thought 300 was around par and we knew we had to bowl and field well and the boys did a terrific job tonight — bring on Melbourne,” Smith said as he looked ahead to Sunday’s final against undefeated New Zealand.

“It’s nice to contribute to a few wins, it was a pretty big stage tonight, the semi-final of a World Cup and I was just happy that we got over the line in the end.

“I am just really happy where everything is at the moment, I’m just looking forward to Melbourne now, it’s going to be one hell of a day.”

Smith didn’t hang about in the ‘nervous’ nineties while batting and tore to three figures with a six and four off successive balls from Mohammed Shami.

His ton was the second fastest against defending champions India at a World Cup after an 84-ball 100 by Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene at the 2011 final in Mumbai.

Smith, who started out in the tournament batting at No 5, has not looked back since he took over at No 3 when Shane Watson was dropped in the pool game against Afghanistan in Perth and has since returned to bat lower in the Australian order.

Smith reeled off 95 against the Afghans, 72 against Sri Lanka and 65 versus Pakistan before going on with his first World Cup ton.

Smith was the second Australian to reach 50 in four consecutive World Cup innings after David Boon (1987-1992).

Smith and Aaron Finch put on 182 for the second wicket before a middle order collapse relaxed Australia’s grip on India’s bowlers.

He has enjoyed a fabulous season after amassing four centuries in Australia’s four-Test series win over India in December-January and went on to claim the Allan Border Medal as the Australian player for 2014.

Smith survived an umpire’s review when he was on 66 after Ravichandran Ashwin got his fingers onto the ball which hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end, but the Australian had grounded his bat in time.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2015

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