Halfway through the last session, stand-in captain Steven Smith announced the innings.
Australia versus Sri Lanka, Innings 654 for 6 dec (Khawaja 232, Smith 141, Inglis 102, Head 57, Vandersay 3-182)
Australia amassed a commanding first-innings total of 654 for 6 before declaring late on day two in Galle, with opener Usman Khawaja celebrating his first Test double century and Josh Inglis smashing a quick ton on debut.
So far in the first Test, Australia has not given any mercy to a helpless Sri Lanka. Midway through the last session, stand-in captain Steven Smith made the decision to declare, with Mitchell Starc 19 not out and wicketkeeper Alex Carey undefeated at 46.
With all-rounder Beau Webster, who can bowl seam and spin, Starc will take the new ball as Australia’s lone frontline fast. Along with left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, Australia’s assault also includes offspinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy.
Khawaja had earlier fallen early in the second session, which was dominated by Inglis, who became the first Australian rookie to reach a Test century since his Western Australia coach, Adam Voges, did so in 2015. Khawaja had concluded with 232 off 352 balls.
With his ecstatic parents clearly in tears on the terraces, Inglis, who was born in England, reached his century off just 90 balls, sprang high, and then punched the air. On his Test debut in Asia, he became the third Australian to score a century, after Shaun Marsh and Michael Clarke.
By either rocking back deep into the crease or skipping down the track, Inglis demonstrated his skill against spin with crisp footwork. Having recently led Australia in both ODI and T20I cricket, his aggression and maturity further demonstrated why the selectors were eager to include him in the squad.
Before falling on 102 after facing 94 balls, Inglis, the wicketkeeper for Western Australia who plays as a specialist batsman, celebrated his milestone with Carey at the crease.
Khawaja had previously recorded his best Test score, overtaking his 195 not out against South Africa at the SCG in 2023 when weather forced an Australia declaration.
On a sluggish surface with oppressive humidity, Australia has fully benefited from winning a favorable toss and batting first.
With a 266-run partnership between them, Khawaja and Smith have been the pivot of Australia’s incredible first innings. Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, Sri Lanka’s most dangerous bowler, trapped Smith leg before wicket for 141, making him the sole wicket to go in the morning session.
Following a historic first day in which he became the fourth Australian to hit 10,000 Test runs on his way to a 35th century, Smith added 37 runs to his overnight total.
Just before midday, Khawaja, 38, celebrated his maiden Test double century by bowing to the ground and kneeling down as the enthusiastic crowd, many of whom are Australians, cheered him on.
He had previously surpassed the best score by an Australian in Sri Lanka, Justin Langer’s 166 in Colombo in 2004. Khawaja is just the second Australian after Allan Border to reach Test hundreds in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, despite having a difficult time against spin in South Asia early in his career.
Khawaja, who most recently suffered at the hands of tormentor Jasprit Bumrah against India, has turned the tide after an 18-month Test-century drought.
Throughout the innings, Sri Lanka has mostly employed their three spinners, but they have failed to stop the run flow and match Australia’s aggressive style. It has been expensive for Sri Lanka because of their poor fielding on the first day, when they lost many chances to remove Khawaja and Smith.
Rain caused day one to conclude early, and Australia began play on 330 for 2, 15 minutes early. Spinners Nishan Peiris and Prabath Jayasuriya got off to a strong start and generated quick turn with a second fresh ball.
Late on the first day, Jayasuriya attacked the stumps and tried to slide the ball on after using a defensive leg-stump technique.
However, once the partnership reached 200 runs, Smith had had enough and displayed his first aggressive outburst by skipping down the wicket after four overs.
On day one, Khawaja successfully executed the reverse sweep; nonetheless, he was fortunate to just clear Peiris over short third for a boundary on his first try in the morning’s play.
Vandersay tricked Smith with a ball that straightened down the line and struck him on the back pad, preventing Sri Lanka from losing for the third consecutive session. Vandersay’s fervent plea was first denied, but in a huge relief for Sri Lanka, the ruling was reversed upon review.
As he chewed gum frantically in anticipation of his maiden ball in Test cricket, Inglis eventually made his way into the crease after nearly 100 overs. After blasting Vandersay past mid-on, he got off to a wonderful start with a boundary and was comfortable against spin.
In order to reach 44 at a run-a-ball speed by tea, he demonstrated his confidence by skipping around the track and throwing many smashes down the ground.
For the first time throughout the day’s play, Quick Asitha Fernando was given the ball after the half and attempted to motivate his struggling squad. On the fast and bouncy surface of the WACA, however, Inglis regarded his brief delivery with contempt.
After Webster and Sam Konstas, Inglis became the third Australian rookie to achieve the half-century mark in as many Test matches. He did it with 51 balls.
Inglis was struck on the rear leg after missing a reverse sweep, and he was out lbw on 58 off Peiris just after the two established their 100-run partnership. However, as soon as he looked it over, a nick on the bat’s underside was found, and the judgment was reversed.
Unfazed, Inglis persisted in his assault, but Khawaja’s unstoppable run came to an end when Jayasuriya gave wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis an edge.
As Jayasuriya’s efforts were once again rewarded, Inglis achieved his ton with a push through the off-side before making a straightforward catch to cover.
