If India struck back a little on day one of the first Test in Adelaide, Day 2 belonged to Australia, and Australia alone, with rain, admittedly also playing its part.
Steven Smith and Michael Clarke made themselves at home at the Adelaide Oval and smashed runs, runs and more runs in those 30-odd overs that were possible on a rain-hit day.
Smith was the man who caught the eye, even if Clarke deserves plaudits for courage alone, and then some. Smith was his usual innovative best, taking it up another gear once he got to his hundred, which he celebrated with class, running up to the 408 printed on the ground and looking up to the heavens in an ode to his fallen teammate Phil Hughes.
"I had a bit of time didn't I, I had that long break on 98 [due to a rain delay] and I thought if I got the two more runs it would be nice to go over there to the 408 and stick my bat in the air and say thanks to Hughesy for being with me all the way out there," Smith said.
"We're all good mates with Hughesy us three, so I was sort of hoping all three of us would get runs. It's nice to be in that position with 517 on the board in the first innings." Added the right-hander referring to David Warner and Clarke, who were the other two batsmen to strike centuries in this first innings.
While Smith's ton was brilliant, Clarke's was equally good, especially considering he seemed to be wincing in pain every time he faced a short delivery, with that back of his barely holding up at times.
Injections, massage and plenty of motivation – Clarke was determined to score a hundred for Hughes – were the three key factors which helped the skipper push through pain and get past those three-figures.
"He has done amazing over the last couple of weeks," added Smith on his captain. "It has been tough for all of us but he spent the whole time by Hughesy's family's side. Just the strength and courage he has shown through those times was unbelievable.
"He must be mentally drained coming into this game but the way he played speaks the world of that guy. He came out here and tried to do something for Hughesy and he certainly did that."
India were pathetic with the ball on day two, almost as if they were waiting for Australia to declare, which they did not, with the home team finishing day two on 517 for seven, with Smith unbeaten on 162.
When the India batsmen come out with their bats on Thursday, and they will sooner rather than later, it will be up to those much-vaunted men to show the kind of resolve, courage and skill that the Aussie willow-wielders showcased to ensure this Test match does not run away from them.
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Day three of the first Test match between India and Australia is scheduled for a 10.30 am local time (11 am AEDT, 5.30 am IST, 12 am GMT, 7 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3 (in Hindi) and Star Sports HD2. Viewers in India can also watch Day 3 via live streaming online on Starsports.com.
Catch Day 3 action live in Australia on Channel 9, while viewers can also live stream the match on Cricket Australia Live or the Cricket Australia Live App.
Viewers in the UK can watch the day's play live on Sky Sports 2, while the live streaming option is on Sky Go or Watch Sky Sports. Audience from the USA can watch the game on Willow TV or live stream the match on Willow TV Online. Viewers in the Middle East can watch the action live on OSN or live stream online on OSN Play.
