Brisbane, Dec 15:
Skipper Steve Smith scored a hundred and rookies Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb half-centuries as Australia took an early grip on the pink-ball first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane today.
Smith, dropped on 53, showed the way as the Australians built the foundations for a sturdy first innings after winning the toss.
At the close before a first day Gabba crowd of more than 26,000, the home side were 288 for three with Smith on 110 and Handscomb, playing in only his second Test match, not out on 64.
Smith raised his 16th Test century with a driven four off Mohammad Amir with three overs left in the day. It came off 184 balls with 15 fours.
The pair put on an unbroken stand of 137 runs for the fourth wicket after young opener Renshaw chipped in with an impressive 71 also playing in his second Test.
Smith was put down on 53 nearing the dinner break when an edge off spinner Azhar Ali went in and out of wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed’s gloves. (Agencies)
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