The much-anticipated Australia tour of Sri Lanka got underway with the first-ever Warne-Murali Trophy, and Day 1 of the 1st Test saw Australia bat first at the Galle International Stadium. With the pitch traditionally known for offering plenty of spin, the expectations were high for Sri Lanka's bowlers. However, the surface surprised everyone by not turning as much as anticipated, and the Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to create consistent breakthroughs.
Khawaja and Head Set the Tone
Australia began the innings with Usman Khawaja and Travis Head at the crease. Head wasted no time, playing aggressively and scoring a rapid fifty to get Australia off to a flying start. However, Head’s quick-fire innings came to an end when he was dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya, giving Sri Lanka their first breakthrough of the day.
Usman Khawaja’s Remarkable Knock
With Head’s dismissal, Usman Khawaja settled in and played a sublime knock, showcasing his skill and temperament on a tough surface. This was Khawaja’s first Test century in Sri Lanka, and he seemed untroubled by the conditions. While he had struggled against pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the recent series, today, with Bumrah absent from the Sri Lankan squad, Khawaja looked in total control. His innings was a display of patience and precision, as he meticulously constructed his century.
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Steve Smith Reaches Milestone and Delivers
At the other end, captain Steve Smith was continuing his brilliant form. He not only reached a significant career milestone of 10,000 Test runs becoming the fourth Australian to do so—but also brought up his half-century. Smith’s knack for finding consistency was evident as he anchored the innings alongside Khawaja, eventually going on to score his 100th run on Day 1, making it a memorable milestone day for the Australian captain.
Also Read: Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test: Steve Smith Joins Elite Club with 10K Test Runs
Sri Lankan Bowlers Struggle Without Turn
Despite the relatively flat surface, Sri Lanka found it tough to break through. The pitch didn’t offer much assistance to the spinners, and the bowlers, in general, struggled to build pressure. By the end of the second session, Sri Lanka had picked only two Australian wickets, and by the close of play, Australia were well placed at 330/2, with both Smith (104*) and Khawaja (147*) still at the crease.
It was a wicketless final two sessions for Sri Lanka, with Australia finishing the day in a dominant position. Smith and Khawaja’s twin centuries put Australia firmly on top, and with no signs of spin, it was clear that Sri Lanka’s bowlers had a tough challenge ahead of them. Day 1 ended with Australia firmly in control, having taken full advantage of the conditions.
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