The Galle International Stadium in Galle is the venue for the two-match Test series between Australia and the island nation of Sri Lanka. We began the first Test on Wednesday, January 29. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head entered the batting order when Steve Smith, the Australian captain-in-waiting, won the toss and decided to bat first.
As the game went on, Head maintained his aggressive style and scored quickly at the top before being removed for 57 off 40 deliveries by Prabath Jayasuriya. The opening duo scored 92 runs together, which is noteworthy.
The Australians continued to dominate the batting order after the opening pair. The third wicket combination of Steve Smith and Khawaja, which totaled 195 runs, put the visitors in a great position, despite the fact that Marnus Labuschagne once again let the bat down by being removed for just 20. Australia was pushed to the box seat on Day 1 by both hitters’ brilliant hundreds.
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja had a spectacular start to 2025.
Australia’s first Test series of 2025 was this one, and the fact that two of their best hitters had at last found their form is encouraging. Usman Khawaja had one of his worst seasons in 2024, but he has now recovered with a remarkable century, scoring 147* off just 210 deliveries and staying undefeated. Ten fours and one maximum were part of his innings.
In addition to Khawaja, the year began with a memorable start for Smith, the famous batsman and stand-in captain, who not only reached the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket but also recorded his 35th century. 104* off 188 deliveries kept the veteran undefeated. His knock, which was hammered right down the ground by Prabhat Jayasuriya, was studded with ten exquisite boundaries throughout his extended stay. As a result, Australia ended the first Test with 330/’2 on the board before the first day was cut short due to rain.
Meanwhile, here is how the fans reacted to Day 1 of SL vs AUS first Test:
Rain is back at Galle International Cricket Stadium
Australia 330/2 (81.1) #sportspavilionlk #SLvAUS #SLvsAUS #danushkaaravinda pic.twitter.com/d0PUlEC6We
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) January 29, 2025
CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND, STEVE SMITH 🐐#SlvsAus pic.twitter.com/KnqtG6IWE7
— 𝐇𝐮𝐙𝐈𝐈 ♡︎ (@HuZ11786) January 29, 2025
Khwaja and Smith :#usmankhawaja struggled miserably against Bumrah on seam friendly pitches but came alive on a spinning pitch at Galle to score a scintillating century, showing what a fabulous player he is against Spin#SteveSmith#SLvsAUS #SLvAUS
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) January 29, 2025
Active players with the most centuries in international cricket:
– Virat Kohli 🇮🇳: 81
– Joe Root 🏴: 52
– Rohit Sharma 🇮🇳: 48
– Steve Smith 🇦🇺: 47*
– Kane Williamson 🇳🇿: 46#SteveSmith #ViratKohli #RohitSharma𓃵 #JoeRoot #KaneWilliamson #SLvsAUS #Cricket pic.twitter.com/sD8xtRr7Gg— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) January 29, 2025
Imposing & imperious from Steve Smith. This has been Smith at his absolute peak in the subcontinent. A masterclass on using your feet against spin #SLvAus pic.twitter.com/Ncwb12eSnR
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 29, 2025
Third Test hundred in one month time and this one even more special as this has come in alien conditions against a very strong SL team at home. Now score a double and bat SL out of the game. #SLvsAUS https://t.co/FUm5TzWoZ0
— Vaibhav (@VTrips_7781) January 29, 2025
A beautiful day in Galle Head breezes away #SLvsAUS pic.twitter.com/vfn4eADLr1
— Mahendra Ratnaweera (@mahenrr) January 29, 2025
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