Smith claims India had 'no answers' to Oz's batting order tail on day two of third Test

Australia's stand-in Test captain Steve Smith has claimed that India had no answers to the tail of the hosts' batting order.

After Australia managed to reach 259-5 on the first day of the Boxing Day Test, they took just two sessions on Saturday to more than double their score, thanks to the hosts' amazing batting order tail.

Smith said of the key partnerships he formed with Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Nathan Lyon that they were terrific. He added that they have come out and taken the bowlers on, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Smith claimed that he doesn't believe India really had an answer for the way the bowlers were playing. He added that it's great for them that the tail can come out and do that and be really aggressive.

The tailenders, having rescued the home side time and again during last year's home Ashes whitewash, are proving a massive asset again this summer.

India could well have come into the third Test with the series squared at 1-1, having scored 408 in the first innings of the second Test at the Gabba and had Australia struggling at 6-247.

But as Smith scored another century, Johnson and Mitchell Starc posted invaluable half-tons, with Australia rallying on to make 505 and went on to win the match by four wickets.

Similarly, India did well on Boxing Day, but all that changed on day two, thanks to Brad Haddin's 55 as he joined with Smith to put on 110 for the sixth wicket.

Johnson again chipped in with 28, but it was fellow paceman Harris who starred with his brilliant knock of 74, the report added.