Pune, Feb 25 (CRICKETNMORE): Despite being rated lowly in the run-up to the first cricket Test against India, Australia skipper Steve Smith, whose defiant ton helped the visitors thrash the hosts by 333 runs and end their 19-match unbeaten run, is overwhelmed to register their first win in the sub-continent after a gap of 13 long years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rating his patient 109 off 202 balls in the second innings, on top of his 18 Test hundreds, Smith said getting a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series is something massive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Thought it was going to be hardwork. I'm proud of the way the guys played. Winning the toss was a bonus, good plans in place. It's been 4502 days since Australia won a Test in India, I know it to the day," Smith said in the post-match presentation ceremony.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"A massive lead in this wicket. We've got some good players of spin and good spinners."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hailing his left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe, who returned with a career-best match haul of 12\/70 to help Australia dismiss India for 105 and 107, the 27-year-old Smith said: "O'Keefe was outstanding. When he pulled his length back slightly (O'Keefe), it felt he'd get a wicket every ball. You need to have some luck on a wicket like that. It took a lot of grit and determination."<\/p>\r\n\r\n