Steve Smith joins elite 10,000-run club as Australia dominate opening day in Sri Lanka
Steve Smith joins elite 10,000-run club as Australia dominate opening day in Sri Lanka
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Smith and Usman Khawaja compiled unbeaten tons as the tourists racked up a huge score on day one in Galle. Steve Smith became the 15th member of Test cricket's 10,000-run club as he and opener Usman Khawaja smashed hundreds to help Australia rack up 330 for two on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
![[Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja dominated for Australia]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/29/11/25/Steve-Smith.jpeg)
Stand-in skipper Smith combined with Khawaja in a 195-run stand for the unbroken third wicket to punish their sloppy hosts, who floored catches, missed a run-out chance, and bungled reviews to let Australia take charge. Smith was batting on 104, his 35th Test hundred, and Khawaja was on 147 when rain forced early stumps at Galle International Stadium.
Earlier, Travis Head celebrated his promotion in the batting order with a typically belligerent 57 following Smith's decision to bat first. Replacing Sam Konstas as Khawaja's opening partner, Head hit Asitha Fernando, the lone seamer in Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack, for three fours in the very first over of the day.
Head was on 23 when Fernando's lbw appeal against him was turned down. Sri Lanka were left to rue their decision of not reviewing the decision after replays confirmed the batter had been trapped plumb in front. In the second session too, Sri Lanka did not review a not-out decision after Khawaja had actually edged Prabath Jayasuriya to the wicketkeeper when the opener was on 74.
