Australia v India, 4th Test, Sydney, 2nd day

India 1 for 71 (Rohit 40*, Rahul 31*) trail Australia 7 for 572 dec (Smith 117, Warner 101, Rogers 95, Marsh 73, Burns 58, Shami 5-112) by 501 runs

Courtesy @ Cric Info

Steve Smith completed his fourth century in as many matches on Wednesday as Australia compiled a daunting first innings total in the final test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Australian captain added to his incredible run of form against the tourists with a composed 117 as Australia, already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, declared on 572 for seven shortly after tea on day two.

In response to the huge total, India got off to a horrible start, losing in-form opener Murali Vijay for a duck on the third ball to left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc.

But Lokesh Rahul (31 not out) and Rohit Sharma (40 not out), brought back after being dropped for the third test in Melbourne, ensured there was no further damage and took India to 71-1 at stumps.

After Australia had resumed on 348-2, Shane Watson fell for 81 in the morning session with Shaun Marsh (73) the only batsman to get out in the afternoon. A half-century from Joe Burns (58) meant the home side's top six batsmen made at least a fifty.

Burns and Ryan Harris fell at the start of the third session to give India paceman Mohammed Shami his second five-wicket haul in tests.

Watson and Smith added 196 for the third wicket after openers David Warner (101) and Chris Rogers (95) put on 200 on Tuesday as Australia's top order cashed in on a flat pitch.

Smith continued his extraordinary run of form, following up his 162 not out in the first test in Adelaide, 133 in the second test in Brisbane and 192 in the third test in Melbourne with another hundred.

Resuming on 82, he reached his eighth test ton when he smashed a full toss from fast bowler Umesh Yadav for a boundary.