Galle, Jan 29 (UNI) Stand-in captain Steven Smith joined the elite 10,000-run club in Test cricket with a commanding century, while Usman Khawaja’s unbeaten 147 put Australia in a dominant position on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
At stumps, Australia were 330 for 2 in 81.1 overs, with Smith (104*) and Khawaja forging an unbroken 195-run partnership for the third wicket after Travis Head set the tone with a brisk 57. Rain brought an early end to proceedings, but not before the visitors had stamped their authority on the contest.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Smith’s decision was vindicated as Australia adopted an aggressive approach against Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack. Head, promoted up the order, made a blistering start, smashing 57 off 40 balls before falling to Prabath Jayasuriya.
Smith, who began the day on 9999 Test runs, reached the milestone with a single before lunch, joining Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh as the only Australians to cross the 10,000-run mark. His century, his third in Sri Lanka, was an exhibition of patience and stroke play, coming off 187 balls.
Khawaja, meanwhile, ended a century drought dating back to mid-2023 with a fluent innings, bringing up his 16th Test hundred off 135 deliveries. The left-hander was given multiple reprieves as Sri Lanka struggled in the field, missing crucial review opportunities and dropping catches.
For Sri Lanka, leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay (1-93) provided the only bright spark, generating sharp turn to trouble the Australian batsmen. However, the hosts’ bowling attack lacked bite, with Jayasuriya resorting to a defensive leg-stump line in the latter half of the day.
Australia fielded a spin-heavy attack, with Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Matthew Kuhnemann supporting lone pacer Mitchell Starc. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will hope for early wickets on Day 2 to prevent Australia from posting a mammoth total.