AUS vs SL: Australia made history in Test cricket by registering their highest-ever Test score in Asia on Day 2 of the first Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
[ Image Source: X/@cricketcomau ]
Australia posted a mammoth total of 654/6, featuring a double century from Usman Khawaja (232) and centuries from Steve Smith (141) and debutant Josh Inglis (102). This remarkable total not only dominated the day but also set a new record for their highest Test score in Asia, surpassing their previous best.
However, Josh Inglis became the first Australian batter in a decade to score a century on his Test debut.
After declaring at 654/6, Australia would have hoped to pick up one or two wickets before the close of play, but the dismissal of Angelo Matthews proved to be a bonus for them. The Aussies used four bowlers, with the first three to bowl each claiming a wicket, including Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc made history by reaching 700 international wickets during the 1st Test against Sri Lanka. He marked the milestone by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne early in the innings, joining an exclusive group of bowlers.
Mitchell Starc is now the fourth Australian bowler to achieve the remarkable milestone of 700 wickets.
Here are the 700-plus wicket-takers from Australia
- 1001 wickets – Shane Warne – Retired
- 949 wickets – Glenn McGrath – Retired
- 718 wickets – Brett Lee – Retired
- 700 wickets – Mitchell Starc – Active
Sri Lanka began their innings confidently with the bat, but technical flaws led to the quick dismissal of both openers. They lost another wicket when Travis Head took a brilliant catch at short leg to dismiss Angelo Mathews. At the end of day 2, Sri Lanka had reached 43/3 and still trailing by 610 runs.
Earlier, Australia delivered an outstanding batting performance on a pitch that appeared to be a batter’s paradise. Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and debutant Josh Inglis were the stars with the bat, while Travis Head gave a fiery start, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot.
Usman Khawaja powered his way to a maiden double century in Tests, pushing Australia to their highest-ever innings total in Asia – 654/6 declared.
Prabath Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay each claimed 3 wickets, while the other bowlers failed to take any wicket.
Also Read: Australia’s Stunning Performance On Day One
1 thought on “AUS vs SL: Australia Sets New Benchmark in Asia Over Sri Lanka”