(CNN) -- The sudden responsibility of leadership is resting well on Steve Smith's shoulders and it needed a captain's knock from him to lift Australia to a respectable 259 for five wickets after day one of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Smith passed 1,000 Test runs for the year on the way to an undefeated 72 not out to send the majority of the huge 70,000 crowd at the MCG home happy. Brad Haddin was on 23 not out at stumps. Smith only took over from injured regular Australia skipper Michael Clarke for the second Test in Brisbane, which the home side won in four days to take a 2-0 lead in the best of four match series.
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Honors even after first day of Boxing Day Test at MCG
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Australia 259 for five wickets at stumps against India
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Captain Steve Smith undefeated on 72
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Chris Rogers and Shane Watson also hit half centuries
Many expected the experienced @placeholder to be elevated, but instead the selectors opted for the 25-year-old Smith and he has repaid their faith.