Wed Jan 29 13:38:12 UTC 2025: ## Australia Dominates Day 1 of Galle Test Against Sri Lanka
**Galle, Sri Lanka:** Australia took control on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, reaching a commanding 330-2 at stumps despite rain curtailing play. Centuries from Usman Khawaja (147*) and captain Steve Smith (104*) formed the backbone of Australia’s impressive performance.
Smith’s unbeaten innings marked his 35th Test century, moving him closer to the top of the all-time list, and his fifth as captain in the subcontinent. The pair shared an unbroken 195-run partnership after lunch, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers who struggled to capitalize on early opportunities.
Earlier, Travis Head provided a quickfire 57 before the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne. Despite some promising spells with the new ball, Sri Lanka’s bowlers were unable to consistently threaten the Australian batsmen once the shine wore off. Missed catches and unsuccessful reviews also hampered their efforts.
The day’s play was eventually halted due to fading light and a period of heavy rain, leaving Australia well-placed heading into day two. Sri Lanka will be hoping to exploit the anticipated increased turn on day two and make inroads into the Australian middle order, which includes the relatively inexperienced Josh Inglis and Beau Webster. However, the forecast predicts showers for the next three days, adding another layer of uncertainty to the match.
First Piper 