Steve Smith’s form has been staggering says Mark Butcher, after the Australia captain eased through to his fourth consecutive Test century on day two of the fourth Test against India. 2015 is Sky Sports’ biggest every year of cricket. Join us as we bring it to life! He joins Don Bradman (who did it three times), Matthew Hayden (twice), Jack Fingleton and Neil Harvey in being the only Australians to do so – and Smith becomes the first ever to score three in a row as captain.Resuming day two at the SCG in Sydney on 82 not out, Smith added a further 35 runs to hit 117 in Australia’s score of 572-7 declared. “It is a staggering performance,” said Butcher. “When he started out in the 2010/11 Ashes series – everybody thought this guy can’t play, he’s a joker.“But he’s gone from strength to strength and just doesn’t show any signs of stopping.”Smith was dismissed just before lunch on day two, edging through to the keeper attempting a drive off Umesh Yadav.That left Australia on 415-4 with two new batsmen at the crease after the other not out batsman overnight, Shane Watson (81), perished a few overs prior.But Shaun Marsh (73) and Joe Burns (58) further pressed home Australia’s advantage and Smith opted to declare after tea and have a bowl at India – the visitors finishing the day on 71-1. Butcher says the way Smith has dealt with the added pressure of leading the side has been particularly impressive.“Hand him the captaincy, and what does he do – he just keeps scoring hundreds and breaking records on the way,” he said.“He’s come from nowhere to lead his country and he’s the first name on the teamsheet now for a team that’s playing brilliant cricket. You can’t speak highly enough of him.”If Australia bat again in this Test, Smith has the chance to break another record – if he scores nine runs or more in the second innings, it would be the most runs by an Australian in a four-match Test series, passing Ricky Ponting’s record of 706 which also came against India, in 2003/04.“The guy is in great form at the moment,” Butcher added. “He will go through a bad spell again, as everybody else does, and people will point to his slight idiosyncrasies he has when he’s batting and say that’s why.“But the fact of the matter is, when the bat comes down, it comes down square with the ball and with ferocious power.“And he just seems to have a real hunger for run-scoring, when he’s got himself into good form, he hasn’t wasted it.”Watch day three of the fourth and final Test between Australia and India live on Sky Sports 2 from 11.30pm. Air Max 97 Clearance . 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When Michael Cheikas Wallabies couldnt stop the All Blacks on the field, you have to wonder if his achievement of the night was taking the steam out of the world record celebrations with his press conference comments.While it was an occasion for the All Blacks to celebrate a significant feat, winning the plaudits of all concerned, the mood of the party was affected by the lack of graciousness by Cheika.It was a massive let-down and it was little wonder that Steve Hansen, who spoke after Cheika, said the press conference had been hi-jacked.The defining moment in the game took the wind out of Australias sails. Whether they would have lasted or not well never know, but it was a defining moment in the sense that there was a kick to come, they could have taken the lead, and who knows, the adrenalin and self-belief may have kicked in.It was the same situation as in last years Rugby World Cup final when they got within a touch of the lead. They couldnt carry on then, and would they have been able to this year?The difference between the sides was the All Blacks superior skill-sets while it was Australias skills that let them down. They turned a lot of ball over through mistakes and errors.It was ironic that shepherding denied Australia a try, yet when something worse happened, when Bernard Foley got tangled with Dane Coles at the other end of the field, it wasnt at least the subject of a penalty.You have to ask just how good some of those players were in the All Blacks side. Julian Savea woke up, and didnt he want to play? He didnt want the final whistle to blow - he wanted his hat trick. His self-belief was evident. You could almost see him say to himself, right, Im doing it. There was no indecision in his game. It was like, I know what my role is, give me the ball I want to run. That was the Julian Savea of old.It was one of the better Test matches of 2016, theres no doubt about that, and there were moments when Australia were in the game and the All Blacks were having to rally the troops.There was no love lost and the niggle was there, and you would expect nothing less from Australians. Its that rivalry, its been around forever. They are a team who can only get better from where they are. They are largely an inexperienced side.But you do have to love the way Steve Hansen is so composed and goes about what he does while remaining a cool, calm and collected character. Mud doesnt seem to stick to him.I dont know what Michael Cheika was trying to achieve. He needs to sort his own backyard out. You have to ask what outcome he is after. Are we going to become chums and stop sledging one another? Is George Gregan going to take back the four more years comment?Were neighbours, were very close in all other areas. But sport is what both countries love and the niggle and jibes are just part of the relationship. And you learn to take it with a grain of salt and a sense of humour.Ive got Australian mates who I cant wait to text every now and then, but you can be assured when the boot is on the other foot they are the first to let me know. Every New Zealander has got an Australian mate like that and every Australian has got a Kiwi mate like that. Thats just life.I thought the clown cartoon was funnny.dddddddddddd. And when you get both Cheika and skipper Stephen Moore upset about it you know it had the desired effect. Theres nothing worse than a joke that goes flat, but when you get the reaction you want that is great.It was certainly a fall from grace for the coach of the year from last year. What does Steve Hansen have to do to get coach of the year this year? Within 12 months hes won a World Cup and broken the world record for most consecutive Test wins with potentially more to come.If the All Blacks get through this northern tour with two Tests against Ireland and one each against Italy and France then they have an extra edge for the three Tests against the British & Irish Lions next year.To suggest New Zealand Rugby were in collusion with the Auckland newspaper was ridiculous. In the media, everyone is out for a different story -- thats just how it works. Why would New Zealand Rugby [NZR] even need to be involved? Youve got to be very careful making accusations with no foundation behind them. The media are your best friend and your worst enemy.NZR have found that in the last month. Coming off the field everyone loves them but during the week and in the build-up theres someone doing something as we have seen. The danger now is that the All Blacks are getting pushed further and further up that pedestal and theres always someone, especially in the media, at the bottom with an axe looking to chop it down.Its finals weekend in New Zealand coming up and it would be fair to say that it is the form teams who are coming through.In the Mitre 10 Championship final, North Harbour are a team who have hit form and are quite exciting with some young talent coming through and some older experienced hands. Its a great injection for a struggling union over the last decade and good to see.Otago started the competition as a form side and again delivered the goods, so it will be an interesting square-off between those two.In the Premiership final Canterbury just keep rolling on; you can take players out and put new ones in but they keep on winning. There is a mixture of talent in the side and it was great to see both the Barrett brothers (Scott and Jordy) get their feet in the door and once that door opens for them Im sure theyll take it. Weve mentioned Scott several times this year, hes had a great season and it is good to see thats been recognised, while Jordy is targeted for bigger things when he fills out and gets older.Tasman are a class side with some very good players. It is interesting that Marty Banks has been such a servant to New Zealand rugby and you just get the feeling that theres a lot of players who will be wanting to send him off overseas on the back of a big performance.Tasman will not be easy-beats and Canterbury are going to have to be on their game.They are partners in the Crusaders region and you have to wonder if some of their ethos has drifted up the road to Nelson.It is also a reflection on rugby in the South Island with three of the four finals teams from the South Island. Theyve performed not only in Super Rugby but also in Mitre 10. ' ' '
