Steve Smith’s fifth century in his last six Tests lifted Australia into a position of strength after they had lost a couple of early wickets against West Indies at Sabina Park.

Smith has been in the form of his life in the last few months and took his tally in the longest format to an incredible 934 runs since December 2014 with an unbeaten 135 on the opening day of the second and final Test in Kingston, Jamaica.

That helped Australia, leading 1-0 in the series after blowing away their hosts inside three days in the opening match in Roseau, to close on 258 for four – a decent platform after they lost openers David Warner and Shaun Marsh cheaply in the opening session. – AP

BCCI TO EXTEND SHASTRI ROLE

Ravi Shastri is set to continue at the helm of the Indian team’s support staff. He is likely to be handed a two-year contract by the BCCI before India’s next assignment, a limited-overs series in Zimbabwe next month.

Shastri, who had been hurriedly roped in as team director midway through last year’s tour of England till the World Cup, was appointed as team director only until the end of the Bangladesh tour.

It is understood that the BCCI and Shastri have agreed the arrangement should continue for the next two years. It could not be ascertained if Shastri would be appointed as the head coach or team director. – ESPNCricinfo