Smith's pride in 'resilient' Australia
Captain Steve Smith expressed his pride after Australia showed their battling qualities to earn a hard-fought third-Test draw with India.
The tourists faced a tough challenge on the fifth day in Ranchi, resuming their second innings on 23-2 and still 129 runs behind India's first-innings total of 603.
But a gritty 200-ball, 72-run knock from the unbeaten Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh's half-century highlighted the Aussies' fighting spirit to leave the series tied at 1-1 with one match to go.
"It was nervous," said Smith, who will lead his side in the final Test in Dharamsala, which begins on Saturday. "It was a pretty good test. I'm proud of the way the boys stuck it out. That's what we want to be. Resilient.
"They [Handscomb and Marsh] played beautifully. They didn't look like they would get out for a while. It was crucial for us, at such an important time."
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— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 20, 2017
However, Smith was disappointed not to have capitalised on winning the toss and batting first, with his 178 and Glenn Maxwell's 104 contributing to a below-par score of 451 in favourable conditions.
He added: "It was important to score big first-innings runs. We left ourselves a bit short there, 450 was not enough to win this match.
"Maxwell was sensational. That's the way we want him to play. Pat Cummins, in his first game in a very long time, he bowled beautifully.
"It's not too often you spend 210 overs in the field. It was a long two days. The boys really dug deep. I am really proud.
"It's a massive game in Dharamsala, we can't wait to get there."
