Steve Smith has continued to plunder runs with remarkable ease as Australia ambled to 4-420 at lunch on day two of the fourth Test against India.

It remains to be seen where the zenith of Smith’s career-best form is, but the SCG was the scene of his fourth century in the four-Test series.

Smith was caught behind on 117 late in Wednesday’s morning session, having motored the hosts to 4-415 at that point with the help of Shane Watson’s 81.

Many records have tumbled over the past month and Smith is well placed to break further new ground in Sydney.

Smith needs only 18 more runs to surpass Don Bradman’s tally of 715 as the best effort by an Australian in a Test series against India.

Nine more runs and Smith will better Ricky Ponting’s mark of 706 – the most runs an Australian has scored in a four-Test series.

The 25-year-old made it look absurdly easy – shuffling down the pitch, clipping balls off his pads and striking sweetly-timed cover drives.

He looked to the skies in memory of Phillip Hughes upon reaching triple figures on Tuesday, having dished out the appropriate treatment to a full toss from Umesh Yadav.

Offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin continued to keep the batsmen honest and snaffled a catch in the deep to dismiss Watson.

But India otherwise proceeded to fold meekly in their final clash before World Cup preparations begin in earnest.

The status quo of misfields, miserable bowling and a lifeless pitch continued when Australia resumed at 2-348 on day two.

Coupled with a man in incredible touch and another desperate to carve out a knock of substance, it resulted in a 196-run stand between Smith and Watson.

Watson trudged off with his head down after picking out Ashwin in the deep when a fifth Test century beckoned.

But with the hosts 3-400, Watson helped bat Australia to a point of early dominance that they hadn’t enjoyed in a Test for almost 15 years.

Not since Australia were 3-489 against England at The Oval in 2001 had the side had so many runs at the fall of the third wicket in a Test innings.

It is the first time Australia’s top four all passed 50 against India in a home Test.

Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns made it to the meal break, although they looked far more uncomfortable than Smith and Watson.

Murali Vijay put down a chance at gully when Marsh was on nine.

Marsh has now gone on to be 14 not out, and Burns is yet to score.