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Australia suffer early wickets but Steven Smith reaches century

Steven Smith reaches his century but Australia suffer two early wickets in the morning session on day three of the second Test with India at The Gabba.

Australia suffered two early wickets on day three of the second Test against India, but recovered well to finish the morning session on 351-6, 57 adrift of the visitors' first-innings total.

Only 17 minutes had elapsed at The Gabba when Mitchell Marsh (11) was dismissed by Ishant Sharma, before Varun Aaron compounded the Aussies' woes by removing Brad Haddin after just six runs shortly after.

Steven Smith - acting as stand-in captain for the injured Michael Clarke - continued to thrive with the extra responsibility as the hosts weathered the storm.

The right-hander finished the session on 110 for what was his sixth Test century and formed a formidable partnership with the equally impressive Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson finished up with an unbeaten 67 and will go in search of a century of his own after the interval.

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Shane Callaghan
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Australian batsman Steve Smith raises his bat after reaching his century on the first day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014
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