A resurgent Steve Smith crunched his second century in as many Tests as Australia built a daunting total on day two of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts resumed on 311-6 after a dominant opening day where all their top four blasted 50 or more to lay a solid platform, spearheaded by carefree debutant Sam Konstas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That thrilling action in front of 87,000 fans was equally notable for Virat Kohli's shoulder barge on Konstas, with the Indian superstar fined 20 percent of his match fee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was no let up from Australia on Friday, stretching their innings to 454-7 by lunch, with the composed Smith not out 139 accompanied by Mitchell Starc on 15.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Just one wicket fell in the session -- skipper Pat Cummins for a fine 49.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith padded up again on 68, with Cummins alongside him on eight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The veteran batsman showed his intent early with a four from Jasprit Bumrah, while Cummins also batted with freedom, not afraid to play his shots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They took 15 off one Akash Deep over to bring up their 50-run partnership before Smith hooked Bumrah for six to rub salt in the wounds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India's body language showed their frustration as the Test slipped away on a benign pitch offering them little.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith reached his 34th Test century with a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, which came on the back of a return to form at the last Test in Brisbane where he made 101.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a patient innings from the 35-year-old and moved him alongside four other players on the all-list of century-makers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Only six players have scored more, led by Sachin Tendulkar's 51.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the landmark out of the way both players began swinging the bat, with Cummins paying the price, caught by Reddy in the deep off Ravindra Jadeja to end a 112-run stand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n