Josh Inglis hits debut century to turn the screw on Sri Lanka in first Test
Josh Inglis hits debut century to turn the screw on Sri Lanka in first Test
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Usman has played the greatest innings of his Test career to help Australia tighten the screws on Sri Lanka in a series opener fast slipping away from the hosts. Khawaja (232), Steve Smith (141) and debutant Josh Inglis (102) made life hell for Sri Lanka in Galle, as Australia declared on 6-654, their largest total for any innings on the subcontinent.
![[Nathan Lyon of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Angelo Mathews in Galle.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/24a356c62da31ba1698e2ac219e321e1ab7db475/0_99_3598_2159/master/3598.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Sri Lanka then lost three wickets within an hour of Australia’s declaration late on Wednesday’s second day to finish the day on 3-44, and could have lost another had substitute fielder Nathan McSweeney held onto Dinesh Chandimal’s edge above the slips.
![[Steve Smith walked off the field with 10,140 Test runs to his name.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a0066de3efc3dfb46c44065b6110f9be6f7aa59d/0_0_3000_2143/master/3000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Australia were 610 runs ahead at stumps, with Kamindu Mendis and Chandimal unbeaten on 13 and 9 respectively when rain stopped play for the second day running. Opening the bowling, left-arm off-spinner Matthew Kuhnemann struck to dismiss a nervy Oshada Fernando lbw for seven in his first over since dislocating his thumb a little more than two weeks ago.
Spectacular catches from McSweeney in the slips and Travis Head at short-leg pushed Sri Lanka into a world of hurt and, respectively, handed Mitch Starc and Nathan Lyon early scalps. Earlier, veteran opener Khawaja silenced the critics who came out in force during a tough summer, and surely extended the lifespan of his long career with his first Test double-hundred.
