Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith each belted centuries as Australia bullied a wasteful Sri Lanka team on a one-sided opening day of the first Test in Galle. Travis Head, promoted to open the innings, silenced the critics of those who wanted Sam Konstas at the top of the order by smashing 57 off 40 balls before Khawaja and Smith took control in an unbeaten run third-wicket stand.
Australia were and in complete control when rain forced stumps to be called 20 minutes early at 4. Smith, who ended unbeaten on , became only the fourth Australian to reach 10, Test runs when he played a quick single to mid-on in the minutes before the lunch break.
For his part, year-old Khawaja not out fired back at those who had questioned his Test future during a lukewarm home summer and raised his bat for a first ton since June Sri Lanka wasted several chances hunting a breakthrough, notably declining to review appeals that would have dismissed Head lbw and Khawaja caught behind.
Khawaja was dropped twice behind the stumps either side of lunch, with Smith also put down by Prabath Jayasuriya from his own bowling after the stand-in captain scored the one run he needed for his milestone. Kamindu Mendis later fumbled a tough chance to dismiss Smith in the air at cover. Smith and Khawaja made their hosts pay, to the delight of a healthy Galle crowd comprising more Australian tourists than Sri Lankan locals. Khawaja initially played the steady hand next to Head, who brought up his half-century in 35 balls β the equal sixth-fastest Test 50 by an Australian.
But when the No 5 turned opener holed out to long-on, Khawaja took charge. Once derided for his track record against spin, Khawaja rejoiced in flaunting his sweep shot on a slow pitch offering limited bounce. He played Asitha Fernando past fine-leg for four to bring up his 16th Test ton from balls in the second session.
