Australia's Steve Smith celebrates his century during the second day of their cricket test match against South Africa in Centurion February 13, 2014.
Australia's Steve Smith celebrates his century during the second day of their cricket test match against South Africa in Centurion February 13, 2014. Siphiwe Sibeko

A total of 30.4 overs were bowled in the whole of second day's play at the Adelaide Oval at the first Test Match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India. The hosts started the day at 354 for 6 and ended it at 517 for 7. They scored 163 runs for the loss of Michael Clark's wicket at a very healthy run rate of 5.36 runs per over.

Rain played spoilsports throughout the day. It interrupted play in the morning session which resulted in the umpires calling for an early lunch. It came back and disturbed play in the afternoon session as well and again in the last session of play as well. Eventually bad light intervened and play for the day could not be continued.

Such frequent intervals in play are difficult for the players as it affects their concentration levels. It affects the batsmen more than the bowlers. To the Australian batsmen's credit they seemed to cope with the disturbances much better than the Indian bowlers. This was amply proven when Steven Smith and Michael Clarke reached their individual centuries with utmost ease. At the end of the day's play Steven Smith is still unbeaten at 162 off 231 balls. Unfortunately Michael Clarke was dismissed in the last over of the day's play with his score at 128 off 163 balls in 244 minutes. Smith and Clarke stroked 21 and 18 boundaries, respectively.

The Indian bowling attack lacked penetration and their fast bowlers sprayed the ball on both sides of the wicket and were also a tad short in length. They will have to bowl much better and with a plan in the future to make a mark on this Australian batting line up.

The third day's play will see a declaration sooner than later. With a shortened game pressure will be on the Australian bowlers to take quick wickets and try and enforce a follow on while the Indian batting line up will try and prolong their innings as much as possible.