Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. (Pic Credit - X)
Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 104 after surpassing 10,000 Test runs, guiding
Australia
to a commanding position alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of the opening Test in Galle on Wednesday.
Australia reached 330-2 in 81.1 overs before rain brought an early end to play after electing to bat first in the two-match series. Left-handed opener Khawaja, on 147, and skipper Smith stitched an unbroken 195-run stand, frustrating the Sri Lankan attack in two wicketless afternoon sessions.
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Smith reached his third Test century in four matches, collecting three runs off Nishan Peiris before removing his baggy green and raising his bat to acknowledge the crowd’s applause. Smith became the 15th player to cross 10,000 Test runs and only the fourth Australian to do so, joining Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting.
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Smith arrived at the crease with 9,999 runs and nudged his first ball for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya to reach the milestone. He survived an early scare when Jayasuriya dropped a sharp return catch, a mistake
Sri Lanka
would later regret. Capitalising on the reprieve, Smith crafted a classy 35th Test century, reaffirming his role as Australia’s middle-order pillar.
Khawaja ended a 17-match wait for his 16th Test century—his first in Sri Lanka—bringing it up with a stylish flick to the fine leg boundary off Asitha Fernando. The 38-year-old had some nervy moments, including a missed review on 74 when he edged Jayasuriya to the keeper.
Smith too had luck on his side, surviving another dropped chance on 90 when Kusal Mendis spilled a bat-pad opportunity behind the stumps.
Earlier,
Travis Head
set the tone with a blistering 57 off 40 balls, laced with 10 fours and a six. Opening in place of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, he put on a brisk 92-run partnership with Khawaja.
Sri Lanka finally broke through when Head miscued an aggressive shot against Jayasuriya, finding the long-on fielder. Marnus Labuschagne followed for 20, caught at first slip off Jeffrey Vandersay’s left-arm spin.
With three specialist spinners in their lineup and the pitch expected to deteriorate, Australia hold the upper hand heading into day two.
English (US) ·