Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith tons energy Australia to 330-2 in first Take a look at | Cricket Information – The Instances of India

Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 104 after surpassing 10,000 Take a look at runs, guiding Australia to a commanding place alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of many opening Take a look at in Galle on Wednesday.
Australia reached 330-2 in 81.1 overs earlier than rain introduced an early finish to play after electing to bat first within the two-match collection. Left-handed opener Khawaja, on 147, and skipper Smith stitched an unbroken 195-run stand, irritating the Sri Lankan assault in two wicketless afternoon classes.
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Smith reached his third Take a look at century in 4 matches, amassing three runs off Nishan Peiris earlier than eradicating his dishevelled inexperienced and elevating his bat to acknowledge the gang’s applause. Smith turned the fifteenth participant to cross 10,000 Take a look at runs and solely the fourth Australian to take action, becoming a member of Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting.

Smith arrived on the crease with 9,999 runs and nudged his first ball for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya to achieve the milestone. He survived an early scare when Jayasuriya dropped a pointy return catch, a mistake Sri Lanka would later remorse. Capitalising on the reprieve, Smith crafted an aesthetic thirty fifth Take a look at century, reaffirming his position as Australia’s middle-order pillar.

Khawaja ended a 17-match await his sixteenth Take a look at century—his first in Sri Lanka—bringing it up with a trendy flick to the tremendous leg boundary off Asitha Fernando. The 38-year-old had some nervy moments, together with a missed overview on 74 when he edged Jayasuriya to the keeper.
Smith too had luck on his aspect, surviving one other dropped likelihood on 90 when Kusal Mendis spilled a bat-pad alternative behind the stumps.

Earlier, Travis Head set the tone with a blistering 57 off 40 balls, laced with 10 fours and a six. Opening instead of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, he placed on a brisk 92-run partnership with Khawaja.
Sri Lanka lastly broke by when Head miscued an aggressive shot towards Jayasuriya, discovering the long-on fielder. Marnus Labuschagne adopted for 20, caught at first slip off Jeffrey Vandersay’s left-arm spin.
With three specialist spinners of their lineup and the pitch anticipated to deteriorate, Australia maintain the higher hand heading into day two.