Wed Jan 29 21:36:59 IST 2025: ## Aussie Batsmen Dominate Day One in Galle, Sri Lanka Spills Chances

**Galle, Sri Lanka** – Usman Khawaja (147*) and captain Steve Smith (104*) smashed centuries as Australia dominated the opening day of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy against Sri Lanka. Australia reached 2-330 at stumps, despite rain curtailing play.

The Aussie openers, Khawaja and Travis Head (57), started aggressively, putting on a 92-run partnership – Australia’s best opening stand in Sri Lanka since 1999. Head, promoted to opener, scored a rapid 35-ball fifty before falling to Prabath Jayasuriya. Marnus Labuschagne (20) was the other wicket to fall before the dominant partnership between Khawaja and Smith took over.

Smith, reaching the 10,000-run milestone during his innings, notched his 35th Test century, surpassing the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Younis Khan, Mahela Jayawardene, and Brian Lara. Both Khawaja and Smith were fortunate; Khawaja was dropped twice and Smith once, while Sri Lanka also missed a run-out opportunity. Furthermore, captain Dhananjaya de Silva failed to review two clear LBW appeals that would have been overturned.

The pair’s unbeaten 195-run partnership steered Australia to a commanding position at the close of play. While the scoring rate slowed in the evening session as Sri Lanka’s spinners employed bodyline tactics, Australia remained firmly in control before rain stopped play.

Earlier in the day, Josh Inglis received his baggy green cap, becoming Australia’s 470th men’s Test cricketer. The match will resume Thursday at 3:15 pm AEDT.

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