Smith led by example once again as he made an unbeaten 72

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Despite India and Australia both trading blows on the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, the match remains evenly poised heading into the day two.

Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith starred with the bat for Australia as he made an unbeaten 72.

He was well supported by opener Chris Rogers and all-rounder Shane Watson, who scored 57 and 52 respectively.

Smith would have been brooding over his decision to bat first after opening batsman David Warner was caught by Shikhar Dhawan at third slip off the bowling of Umesh Yadav for a duck.

Rogers and Watson made up for the early loss of Warner with a 115-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Rogers was caught behind off the bowling of Mohammed Shami.

Rogers fantastic knock of 57 came off 126 balls and included five boundaries.

Rogers hit five boundaries during his innings of 57

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Watson went on to score 52 off 89 deliveries, which included four boundaries, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin.

Watson played some spectacular shots during his knock of 52

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Smith and Shaun Marsh stabilised the innings with a 69-run partnership before Marsh was caught behind off the bowling of Shami for 32.

Debutant Joe Burns mustered 13 runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Yadav.

Smith and Brad Haddin amassed an unbeaten 43-run partnership before stumps was called.

Smith finished on 72 off 158 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, while Haddin remained undefeated on 23 off 53 deliveries, which included one boundary and a six.

Yadav and Shami picked up two wickets, while Ashwin chipped in with one.

Australia ended day one on 259/5 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:30 local time or 23:30 GMT (previous day).