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Steve Smith has coped well with test captaincy, says Chris Rogers

Australia skipper Smith has looked in stellar form in the ongoing test series against India.

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From bashing big scores to firing back a few choice words at sledging opponents, captaincy is fitting Australia's Steven Smith 'well', according to opening batsman Chris Rogers.

Smith compiled a watchful half-century to see Australia to stumps at 259-5 on day one of the third test against India on Friday, continuing a stellar run of form for the baby-faced batsman nicknamed 'Smudge'.

Unbeaten twice in the series-opening test in Adelaide with scores of 162 and 52, Smith struck a match-winning 133 in Brisbane standing in for injured captain Michael Clarke to drive Australia to a 2-0 series lead.

Batting on 72 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the 25-year-old is in the box seat to help Australia seal the four-match series a game early.

Also Read: Australia reach 259 for five at stumps; Skipper Steve Smith scores patient half-century

"There's definitely an echelon of batsmen at the moment who seem to be above and beyond," Rogers, who scored 57 for his third successive half-century of the series, told reporters.

"Davey (Warner) to a certain extent and now Smudger (Smith). It's phenomenal to watch and great to be a part of. (Smith) is just growing day by day and it's scary to think how good he can be.

"Someone threw a ball back at him today and he had the confidence to say a few words back at him so it looks as if he knows he belongs and he knows he's one of the better players in the world at the moment," added Rogers.

Related: David Warner claims will not hold back from 'banter' with opponents

Though India captured a pair of wickets at the start of both the second and third sessions, Smith was in full control, lifting the tempo with the old ball and defending stoutly with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (23 not out) as the tourists' pacemen pushed hard with the new ball late on. Rogers has enjoyed his return to form, but was disappointed to be dismissed in the 50s for a third successive time.

His contributions have been timely, however, given opener David Warner's form has tailed off after back-to-back centuries in the first Adelaide test.

"I know it probably doesn't seem like it but there are times it can be a little bit intimidating batting with Davey as well," said Rogers of Warner, who was out for a duck.

"He scores so quickly that you can look up and think, 'I'm not scoring quick enough, I'm not being aggressive enough'.

"So I think at times I've probably got out trying to force it a little bit up the other end from Davey. Maybe it helps me just calm down a little bit after he gets out," concluded Rogers.

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