Twitter Reactions: Australia pile up a huge total as Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne score double tons in second day’s play in Perth

Australia started day two’s play at 293 for 2 with Marnus Labuschagne unbeaten on 154 and Steve Smith on 59 runs while there wasn't much to cherish in the visitor’s camp. The second day’s play wasn’t any different as the Australians showed a masterclass of batsmanship. West Indies skipper Kraigg Braithwaite used all his tactics but none worked out against the duo of Labuschagne and Smith.  

Labuschagne soon got to a splendid double century to continue his supremacy in Tests while Smith from the other end neared the three-figure mark. Brathwaite brought himself on into the bowling attack and in the 119th over of the innings, Labuschagne was finally dismissed for a massive score of 204 off 350 balls. The partnership of 251 runs for the third wicket was also broken and Travis Head joined Smith at the crease.  

Smith got to his 29th Test century in the partnership with Head and equalled the record with Sir Don Bradman. Head, meanwhile, played his usual game of attacking the bowlers and the runs started to flow in quickly for the Australian side. Head went past the 50-run mark in no time while Smith reached a milestone of 150.

Travis Head dismissed on 99

With the declaration in mind, both the batters played some aggressive cricket and Smith got to another magnificent double century to mark his excellent form. Head was unfortunate to be dismissed on 99 and Australia declared the innings at 598 for 4 in 152.4 overs. Braithwaite was the pick of the bowlers for visitors with 2 for 65 as West Indies had a big task on their hands if they had to save the Test.  

However, they passed the first big task comfortably of playing out the new ball spell from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. The left-right combination of debutant Tagenarine and Braithwaite proved to be effective as the duo ensured no wickets fell in their first innings until stumps on day two. West Indies have accumulated 74 runs for no loss in their 25 overs and they trail by 524 runs with Tagenarine unbeaten on 47 while Braithwaite is on 18 at the crease.

Here's how the Twitter reacted to day two's play

Most double hundred among active players in Test cricket:

Virat Kohli - 7
Joe Root - 5
Steve Smith - 4*
Kane Williamson - 4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 1, 2022

A sign perhaps that Australia’s Test summer is healing? Steve Smith with his bat raised #AusvWI pic.twitter.com/EMfJFqnww3

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 1, 2022

Steve Smith now has more Test centuries than Michael Clarke, Hashim Amla and Joe Root.

He equals Sir Donald Bradman on 29 Test centuries.#AUSvWI

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 1, 2022

What about this Steve Smith bloke. Averages 60 across more than 80 Tests, becomes the fastest to 8k runs, then decides none of that is good enough. At 33, he remodels his technique, then makes 145* in Galle and now 100* in Perth in his first few attempts. Extraordinary #AUSvWI

— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) December 1, 2022

Goat @stevesmith49 & @marnus3cricket 🙌#AUSvWI

— PK (@Pushkar76190944) December 1, 2022

These aren't good ads for test cricket
2 days in Perth #AUSvWI 4/672
Windies will probably collapse but ....
While in Rawalpindi
Start of final session on day 1 #PAKvENG and England is 3/335 after 55 overs !!! Yes on Day 1
That's a highway

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) December 1, 2022

@TageChanderpaul well batted .Great future ahead! A player to watch in coming days. #AUSvWI

— Ishaan Seehra (@IshaanSeehra) December 1, 2022

At what point do we ask if perhaps a lively WACA pitch would have been better than a lifeless commercial road 🤔 #AUSvWI

— Tim Hatcher @DoggyPanter@aus.social (@DoggyPanter) December 1, 2022