Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after scoring his ten thousandth run throughout day one of many First Check match within the sequence between Sri Lanka and Australia at Galle Worldwide Stadium on January 29, 2025, in Galle, Sri Lanka.
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Photos
Australia’s batters feasted on Sri Lanka’s bowling, racking up milestones and dominance on a rain-curtailed opening day of the primary check in Galle on Wednesday.
The vacationers completed on a commanding 330-2 with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith each posting unbeaten centuries to set the platform for a formidable first-innings whole.
Smith etched his title within the report books by turning into solely the fifteenth participant in historical past – and the fourth Australian – to surpass 10,000 Check runs, becoming a member of the elite firm of Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting. Strolling in with 9,999 runs to his title, he nudged a single off Prabath Jayasuriya to achieve the milestone.
“I used to be on the different finish when Smith obtained out in Sydney and I used to be geared as much as rejoice and it was devastating,” Khawaja stated. “I simply actually gave a giant hug and stated you might be an absolute legend and also you get to 10,000 runs as soon as and luxuriate in.”
Sri Lanka had a golden probability to take away Smith early, however Jayasuriya spilled a return catch – an error that proved pricey. The Australian stand-in captain made him pay, hammering an unbeaten 104, laced with 10 boundaries and a six, whereas forging a mammoth 195-run unbroken stand with Khawaja for the third wicket.
Khawaja, ease all through, remained unbeaten on 147, hanging 10 fours and a six. His fluent innings made his current struggles towards India – a sequence by which he managed only one half-century – seem to be a distant reminiscence.
“For those who watch my knocks previously, should you watch my innings towards India in Delhi once I obtained 80 odd I used to be nonetheless attacking so much,” he stated. “At Indore after we received there I used to be attacking within the first innings. Attempting to determine that a part of the sport.”
With solely 81.1 overs potential as a result of rain, Australia shall be desirous to pile on the runs on day two. Holding a three-spinner benefit, it’s well-placed to place Sri Lanka underneath immense strain on a pitch anticipated to deteriorate. A victory on this check can be sufficient for Australia to retain the Warne–Murali Trophy.
“It was a disappointing day for us. I don’t assume we bowled all that nicely immediately,” Sri Lanka spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge stated. ”Australia took the assault on to us and we knew they’d come after us, however we have been simply poor.
“Hopefully, we’ll tidy issues up tomorrow morning and two fast wickets will get us again into the sport. However now we have lot of catching as much as do.”
Earlier, Travis Head supplied an electrical begin, smashing 57 off simply 40 balls, peppering the boundary 10 instances and clearing it as soon as. The Australian vice-captain regarded to dominate Jayasuriya however perished making an attempt to clear long-on, ending a 92-run opening wicket stand with Khawaja.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, taking part in his first check in two years, managed a breakthrough by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne, caught at slip. However from there, Smith and Khawaja took management, guaranteeing Australia dictated phrases.
Sri Lanka’s bowling lacked self-discipline, and its use of opinions proved pricey. The hosts missed a possibility to dismiss Head on 23, failing to problem an LBW choice, after which Khawaja on 74, when he edged behind – one other assessment left unused.
Australia, nicely on high, now have the proper alternative to bat Sri Lanka out of the competition.
Revealed – January 29, 2025 01:01 pm is
