Michael Clarke was battling with back-pain, but more importantly through the emotions that must have been going on in his mind. He was eager to play the match, for his friend Phil Hughes, and gave a memorable tribute to him by making a stroke-filled century on Day 2.
Steve Smith, meanwhile, also completed his hundred to take the game virtually away from India on a day, which left everyone frustrated because of drizzles every now and then. Smith was in super form heading into the match and he maintained that run against the visitors.
Not many overs were possible in the day, but the Indian bowlers struggled to find rhythm and were wayward most of the times. Speedster Varun Aaron, however, was bowling at the rate of knots but the speed, without control proved insufficient.
The constant rain delays, however, failed to affect the rhythm of both Clarke and Smith as they hammered the Indian bowlers all over the park. All Indian bowlers, except Ishant Sharma, were on expensive side and gave away plenty of runs.
Clarke and Smith made a 163-run partnership for the sixth wicket and took the game virtually away from India. Karn Sharma broke the partnership towards the day’s end but till that time the damage was done, as the hosts posted 517/7 at stumps on Day 3.
