Australia in Sri Lanka: Recap first Test’s opening day in Galle as Josh Inglis debuts

The day ends with rain but it was an incredible day for the Australians who have the chance to put this Test to bed early.

Play will start 15 minutes earlier tomorrow, 12.15pm AWST, to make up some of the overs lost tonight.

Until then goodnight!

​Usman Khawaja’s day-one century in Galle stakes a claim the opener could be Australia’s best option to tour India in 2027 — if he is up for it — as a 40-year-old, writes Jackson Barrett.​

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The umpires have called stumps with just 15 minutes of play left and the rain still falling.

The Aussies won’t mind.

They are already 2-330 and will be looking to start fresh tomorrow and push for 600 so they only need to bat once.

It means Khawaja bats for the full day for a magnificent unbeaten 147 while Smith also finishes the day not out on 104.

The drizzle has set in and the Aussies are racing off the ground.

It has been darkening for the last 90 minutes but the rain is only light so there may be hopes of getting back on.

Sri Lanka employ full-ground covers by the way.

AUS 2-330

Prabath has been handed the new ball and is back around the wicket angling in and spinning away from Smith.

This will be a deciding factor in the innings, Australia won’t want to let this brilliant platform go to waste.

Khawaja welcomes it with a cracking reverse sweep to the forward-of-point rope, taking the spinner’s figures to 1-100.

AUS 2-323

Smith has reached triple figures!

His 35th century was one of ultimate ease after the dropped catch, patience a feature as he punish anything loose and out batted the bowling.

The 35-year-old reached the milestone with a classy back-foot punch through the covers for three.

AUS 2-316

It had been exactly 100 balls since the Aussies had scored a boundary but Smith helps one around the corner and past fine leg for four.

It moves him to 85 as the sky begins to darken slightly.

AUS 2-299

The new ball is due in eight overs and Sri Lanka have some questions to answer.

Do they take it in a bid to get wickets tonight or wait until their bowlers are fresh in the morning?

The harder ball should get more movement and spin but it also comes off the bat harder as Travis Head showed in the opening session.

The new ball could be a descive moment in this innings.

AUS 2-287

Sri Lanka are killing Australia’s momentum by bowling outside the leg stump, allowing Smith and Khawaja to pad the ball away.

It’s slowed the rate down but it can’t produce wickets if the Aussies smartly refuse to play the ball.

In the end it could hurt the homeside who will bat on the wicket last.

AUS 2-273

Smith remains in the baggy as the offie Nishan bowls the opening over of the final session.

And we are likely to get a rare two-hour third session with Sri Lanka on top of the over rate.

AUS 2-262