Super Smith slams maiden T20 hundred

In a career that already has an Ashes whitewash, reached a World Cup victory and Allan Border Medal, Steve Smith is a rare first last night in the Indian Premier League. Smith has been fruitful in the Test and one-day formats, but on Friday night in Pune, the Australia captain scored his first Twenty20 century. The 26-year-old eclipsed his previous best of 90 with a superb 101 from 54 balls batting for Pune Giants against the league leaders Gujarat Lions.
But it could have been so different Lions debutant spinner Shivil Kaushik not exceeded, as Smith on 41. The Australian bowled was beaten with the subsequent free hit for six over long-off fielder head - one of five maxima in its excavation - when he powered triple figures for the first time. The knock had all the characteristics of a signature Smith innings: precision placement, innovative stroke play and the recklessness that saw him one become on the planet of the best clubs.
Smith his runs at a thunderous pace has accumulated, scored with 187 runs confronted per hundred balls, representing an increase of 63 on his career T20 strike rate of 124 "I arrived very early in the power play in and if the ball is a bit new and the pitch may be a few more shots to play, "said Smith Broadcaster Sony Six when changing innings break. "I have are probably a little before my normal hit rate. From there it was is wrong with him." Of course I had a bit of luck a no-ball rolled away get, but that's cricket and you have to make the most of those days. "At No.3 input about the loss of opener Saurabh Tiwary in third, wasted no time Smith in an upbeat tempo, as he tickled his first ball from Praveen Kumar to fine leg rope for four.
Smith collected two more boundaries of Kumar in the fourth over before two fours picking up and the free hit six, on the way to a 29-ball half-century. Four more sixes followed in his next 25 balls when he motored to his first T20 century. The trick shots in full swing to the delight of the vociferous Pune were faithful, including his remarkable whip between the legs, called the "dog shot" of commentary and champion Australia batsman Mike Hussey. A fleshy mow to midwicket fence brought his hundred in the final over, but Smith was out of after delivery, when the "dog shot" went wrong - rolled off Dwayne Bravo at the inner edge. Ultimately his remarkable innings was in vain as Gujarat chased Pune total 3-195 from the last ball of the game.

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