Australia in Sri Lanka: Recap first Test’s opening day in Galle as Josh Inglis debuts
Can Australia conquer the turning tracks of Sri Lanka and begin their two-Test series on a strong note?
Follow the latest action from the First Test here!
We’re back
Jayasuriya to continue with Khawaja to resume on 65.
He gets off-strike with a single to deep square.
BANG. Smith comes down and launches Jayasuriya straight down the ground for six to bring up Australia’s 150. Absolutely middled it.
Ponting praises Smith on joining 10,000 club
“This a moment in cricketing history isn’t it? Steve Smith, 10,000 Test runs,” he says on Channel 7.
“Might have been a slightly grander stage if it was brought up a couple of weeks ago in front of his home crowd at the SCG. But, you look around this ground in Galle there are a lot of Aussies there who have flown out just to witness that moment. Fantastic.”
“Magnificent achievement for the Australian number four and current captain of this side.”
LUNCH - AUS 2/145
A terrific fight back from Sri Lanka after they looked all at sea against Travis Head’s opening salvo.
However, once they got their man their spinners got to work with Jeffrey Vandersay looking particularly dangerous having removed Marnus Labuschagne.
Khawaja has steadily progressed to 62 while Smith go to 10,000 before Jayasuriya dropped a caught and bowled chance.
Khawaja was also dropped at slip and that could prove costly though there are plenty of demons in this track already.
Smith gets to 10,000
Just the fourth Australian to reach that milestone behind legends Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh
He was desperate to get it to advancing down and running a sharp single off the first ball he faced.
He raises the bat and it’s warmly acknowledged by the crowd. He looks relieved to put that behind him.
Labuschagne falls with lunch looming!
And thus ends one of the more horrid-looking innings in Test cricket.
He barely looked comfortable his whole stay, particularly against the spin of Jeffrey Vandersay.
This is tossed up and spins away from Labuschagne’s prod as it goes straight into the hands of first slip. AUS 2/135
Australia’s batting order
Travis Head suggested Australia could have a fluid batting line-up for this series.
One change is Alex Carey is listed to come in at six above Beau Webster and is currently in his whites.
Carey is known for his good record against spin and so it looks like he’s secured a promotion up the order.
50 for Khawaja
He looks soo much more comfortable in these conditions compared to facing Bumrah.
It’s come at a decent clip off 71 balls and was the perfect foil for Head’s fast start.
Next objective is to make it to lunch.
Jeffrey comes on
The leg-spinner starts with an absolute ripper that pitches outside leg to then turn and beat Labuschgane’s outside edge and off-stump.
Marnus finds a couple down the ground and a single square.
Plenty of turn in this track and it’s only been 22 overs. AUS 1/120
Australia reach 1/100
Marnus Labuschagne has not inspired confidence in his 10-ball stay so far nearly out three times.
Khawaja has also settled down at the other end but does look far more comfortable.
He brings up the team 100 with a nice drive down the ground.
Head goes down swinging
Head advances down but catches it off the toe of the bat.
Chandimal is at long-on having spread the field and he takes a comfortable catch.
Head goes for 57 off 40 balls and he’s livid to get out.
