WATCH: Crowd roars as Steve Smith gets off the mark on 39th ball vs New Zealand in Sydney

Steve Smith gets off the mark on 39th ball: The Australian batsman scored his first run after batting for 45 minutes at the SCG.

During the first day of the third Test of the ongoing New Zealand’s tour of Australia in Sydney, Australia batsman Steve Smith surprised one and all by not scoring a run for the first 38 deliveries that he scored.

Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the over, Smith batted for 45 minutes before getting off the mark. It was on the second delivery of the 40th over when Smith played a short delivery from New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner on the leg side to score his first run.

Given the time taken by the 30-year old player, him getting among the runs received a loud cheer from the crowd who saw Smith acknowledging their response.

In what was his 29th Test half-century, Smith scored 63 (182) with the help of four fours before getting out to New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme in the 84th over.

After Australia captain Tim Paine won the toss and chose to bat, the hosts scored 283/3 in 90 overs at Stumps on Day 1. All-rounder Marnus Labuschagne scored yet another Test century this summer to pile on the agony against a Kiwi side without captain Kane Williamson and pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

Remaining unbeaten at Stumps, Labuschagne ended up scoring 130* (210) with the help of 12 fours and a six. With bowling figures of 18-1-63-2, de Grandhomme was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors today.

Steve Smith gets off the mark on 39th ball

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