Wed Jan 29 07:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Aussie Batsmen Dominate Sri Lanka in Galle Test
**Galle, Sri Lanka:** Australia enjoyed a dominant first day of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka, with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith leading the charge in a display of masterful batting rarely seen from a non-subcontinental team in the region. Khawaja’s performance was particularly noteworthy, highlighted by a powerful reverse-sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya’s new ball delivery – a shot described as a “statement piece” that left the Sri Lankan spinner visibly deflated.
Khawaja’s aggressive approach, coupled with Steve Smith’s equally impressive century (his 35th Test ton), completely neutralized Sri Lanka’s spin attack. While Travis Head provided a quick start before his dismissal, Khawaja and Smith built an imposing partnership, milking the bowling and employing a variety of shots to score freely against all three Sri Lankan spinners. Smith’s innings was particularly noteworthy, as he reached his 10,000th Test run milestone during the match.
Khawaja, previously considered vulnerable against spin bowling in the subcontinent, completely dispelled this notion, showcasing a remarkable ability to play both defensively and aggressively, utilizing his feet and a full range of sweep shots. He and Smith put the Sri Lankans under immense pressure from the beginning of the day, creating a near one-day-style middle-over phase. This dominance even prompted Sri Lanka to employ overly defensive field placements.
Rain eventually curtailed play, leaving Australia in a commanding position with Khawaja and Smith unbeaten and set to resume their assault on the second morning. The Australian pair have already defied expectations, with Khawaja becoming only the second Australian, after Allan Border, to score centuries in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. Their continued success will undoubtedly be a major focus as the match progresses.
First Piper 