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Australia tightened their grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, reducing the hosts to 44-3 at stumps on Day 2 after Usman Khawaja’s maiden double century and debutant Josh Inglis’ scintillating hundred powered them to a formidable 654-6 declared.
By the time rain ended play, Sri Lanka were already reeling, with senior batters Dinesh Chandimal (9*) and Kamindu Mendis (13*) left to salvage the innings.
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Khawaja and Steve Smith led the charge with a mammoth 266-run third-wicket stand after the visitors elected to bat first.
Stand-in skipper Smith’s authoritative 141 saw him reach the milestone of 10,000 Test runs, while Khawaja made history as the first Australian to score a double century in Sri Lanka.
The tourists’ 654-6 is their highest total in Sri Lanka, surpassing their previous Asian-best of 617 against Pakistan in 1980.
Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 46 alongside Mitchell Starc (19) when Smith finally declared the innings in the final session.
Josh Inglis capitalised on his opportunity after Smith’s dismissal, smashing a fluent 102 in just 90 balls. His exhilarating 146-run partnership with Khawaja wore down Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. Inglis celebrated his maiden Test hundred with sheer delight but fell in the very next over, caught at short cover off Prabath Jayasuriya.
Khawaja, who batted for 352 balls and struck 16 fours and a six, reached his milestone with a single off Jayasuriya. He removed his helmet, raised his bat, and kissed the ground in celebration while teammates and fans applauded. His previous best Test score was an unbeaten 195 against South Africa in 2023 at Sydney.
Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay toiled for 154 overs, picking up three wickets each.
The home side’s troubles deepened as Australia’s bowlers struck early. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann trapped Oshada Fernando lbw, while pace ace Mitchell Starc removed captain Dimuth Karunaratne for seven, caught at gully.
Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon added to Sri Lanka’s woes, dismissing former skipper Angelo Mathews for eight with a sharp catch at short leg by Travis Head.
With Sri Lanka three down and facing a steep climb, the intensity is set to rise when play resumes on Day 3.
