Australia dominate first day in Galle as Smith, Khawaja star

Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja have batted Australia into a dominant position on day one of the Test against Sri Lanka, each striking centuries to take their side to 2/330 at stumps on Wednesday in Galle.

After electing to bat first, the visitors got off to a blistering start as Travis Head struck 57 runs from 40 balls, including three boundaries from the first over.

While a challenging patch came for Australia when Head fell and Marnus Labuschagne (20) soon followed to leave them at 2/135, Khawaja and Smith gave the world No.1 team the advantage again.

Smith struck his 10,000th Test run off the first ball he faced, becoming the 15th man to reach the milestone.

He would then go on to make his 35th Test century for Australia, reaching 104 not out by the time rain ended play early on Wednesday.

Khawaja managed even better, carrying his bat throughout day one to finish on 147 at stumps, with a healthy strike rate of 70 to boot.

At the end of Wednesday’s cricket, Khawaja reflected on how he almost did not make it to Galle.

“It’s been a tough summer,” he said.

“I had a lot of people telling me how I should go about my career and what I should do from here on in.

“But Andrew McDonald (Australia’s coach), even last year, said to me: ‘I don’t care what happens, just make sure you’re on the Sri Lankan tour. I want you on the Sri Lankan tour.’

“I’m not here for anyone but the team.

“I’m not just playing cricket because I’ve got a gluttony to score lots of runs.

“Century number 16, 17, 18 is not going to make a difference to my life.

“I’m going to finish this game, and I’ve got a beautiful family.

“I’ll try to give back to the community as much as I can.

“Hopefully I can score runs and contribute to the team.”

Cricket betting sites already had Australia as favourites heading into the first Test, but they have since shortened the visitors’ odds significantly.

Having started the match at $2.10 to win, the Aussies are now paying just $1.36 at Marantelli Bet to prevail in Galle.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have blown out from $2.50 to $9 with top online bookmakers.

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