AUS vs SL first test: Steven Smith completes 10,000 test runs

GALLE: Steven Smith joined an elite list of cricketers on Monday, as the Aussie legend scored his ten thousandth run against Sri Lanka in the first test of the two match series.

Smith flicked Jayasuriya’s delivery to the right of mid-on and took off running. The applause began soon after. The Aussie skipper not only became the 15th player to reach the humongous figure, but was the fifth fastest by innings to do so.

While Smith broke records, he only scored two runs before the lunch break. It was the combined efforts of Usman Khawaja and Travis Head that gave Australia their strong start.

Together, the two made a partnership of 92 runs off 88 deliveries. Head made 57 of those, hitting 10 fours and one six in the process, before he was dismissed in the 15th over. It was Jayasuriya who broke through Australia’s defences, as Head struck the delivery from the Sri Lankan spin bowler was hit with bottom of the bat towards long on. A fair bit of height with a lack of distance, made for an easy catch for Dinesh Chandimal at long-on.

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Marnus Labuschagne supplanted Head, and put on a partnership of 43 runs off 93 deliveries with Khawaja. However, Marnus was dismissed before lunch as well, on a delivery from Jeffrey Vandersay that found the outside edge of the Aussie’s bat before finding the hands of Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva at first slip.

After the break, Khawaja and Smith put on an incredible partnership. The two scored 195 runs of 307 balls by the end of the day. Khawaja made a ton and then some, currently standing at 147. Smith brought up his century in the 78th over. It marked his third hundred in the last four matches he’s played.

Rain ended the day a little early, but Australia will be elated with what they managed to accomplish. They currently stand at 330 for 2 after 81.1 overs.

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