
Khawaja's Stunning Double Century Shines as Australia Dominates Sri Lanka in Galle
Usman Khawaja’s epic 232 runs helped Australia seize control of the first Test in Galle, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot after a day filled with milestones and memorable performances. Khawaja, playing at the age of 38, silenced critics and demonstrated why he remains one of Australia’s most reliable players in subcontinental conditions. His double century, the highest score ever by an Australian against Sri Lanka, was a brilliant response to years of being sidelined on South Asian tours due to concerns over his ability to handle spin.
Khawaja’s innings was not just about the runs he scored; it was a demonstration of his evolving technique. He reverse-swept with confidence, used his feet against spinners, and remained calm despite some early luck with missed chances. He surpassed his previous high score of 195 not out and kissed the ground in gratitude after reaching the 200 mark. In doing so, Khawaja extended his impressive record in South Asia, with only a few legends of the game having more runs than him in the region.
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While Khawaja anchored the innings, Steve Smith (141) and debutant Josh Inglis (102) added crucial runs, helping Australia declare on a massive 654/6. This total marked their highest ever on the subcontinent and their largest Test score since 2012. Smith, in particular, impressed with his timing and flair, scoring at a quick pace. He also crossed the 10,000 Test run milestone, solidifying his place among cricket’s greats.
Inglis, making his debut, made an immediate impact with a fast-paced century off just 90 balls, becoming the first Australian debutant to score a century since Adam Voges in 2015. His performance, particularly against spin, backed up the selectors’ faith in him, and his aggression on the field was exactly what Australia needed to maintain the pressure on Sri Lanka.
As Australia piled on the runs, Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to make inroads. The Australian batsmen dominated, and the Sri Lankan bowlers could not manage to break the partnership for long. Australia’s spinners, led by Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann, then took over with the ball, quickly putting Sri Lanka’s top order under pressure. Kuhnemann, despite a thumb injury, dismissed Oshada Fernando with his first ball, and Mitchell Starc followed up with the key wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne.
The Australian attack was relentless, and soon Sri Lanka found themselves at 3-44 by the close of day two. Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis fought hard to keep their team’s hopes alive, but with the pitch deteriorating, the task of surviving was growing tougher. As the pitch began to take more spin, Sri Lanka’s chances of recovering from this deep hole appeared slim.
Khawaja’s remarkable innings, Inglis’s promising debut century, and Smith’s impeccable consistency have put Australia firmly in the driver’s seat. With three days left, Sri Lanka will need something extraordinary to turn the tide. But for now, it’s Australia’s day, and they seem poised to build on this commanding position.
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