The veteran Australian batsman, Steve Smith said he was looking to put Ravichandran Ashwin under pressure after becoming a bunny of the Indian spinner in the first two Tests. Breaking his run of poor scores, Smith played some attacking shots and marched to an unbeaten 31 by the close of play on Day 1 of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia was standing comfortably at 166 for two at stumps of a rain-marred day, with Marnus Labuschagne giving Smith company on 67.

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Talking about his attacking mind-set at end of the day’s play, Steve Smith said, “I’m good, nice to spend a bit of time out there, nice to stitch in a partnership with Marnus. I wanted to put him (Ashwin) under a little bit of pressure which I haven’t done this series.”

As he faced the Indian bowlers, Smith was looking determined to make a statement after his uncharacteristic run of low scores in the first couple of Tests of the four-match series against India in Adelaide and Melbourne.

Explaining the same, Steve Smith said, “I was just trying to hold the grip a bit tighter, I’ve been struggling, so I was getting into good positions today. It was good to get a couple of boundaries early. Marnus played well, hopefully, we go along well tomorrow.”

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Smith and Labuschagne added as many as 60 runs for the third wicket to help the hosts to regain some lost ground after the comprehensive defeat to the visitors in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Currently, the series is currently locked at 1-1.