Australia declare at 654 for 6, Khawaja scores double ton

GALLE: Australia decided to declare on Thursday, day two of the first test, after scoring 654 runs thanks to a century each from Skipper Steven Smith and Josh Inglis, as well as an incredible maiden double century from Usman Khawaja.

Australia’s batting line-up has had their fair share of fun these past two days. Leading the charge was opener Usman Khawaja. His opening stand with Travis Head gave Australia a fantastic start, putting 92 runs on the board. He would add another 43 with Marnus Labuschagne. But, Khawaja’s largest partnership came with Australia skipper Steven Smith. The two scored 266 tuns off 419 deliveries. The duo’s destruction came to an end in the 100th over, as Jeffrey Vandersay sent off Smith for an lbw. However, Smith managed to score 141 runs before he made his walk back to the pavilion.

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Khawaja was part of another great partnership with Josh Inglis. Together, they scored 146 runs off 172 deliveries. This time it was Khawaja’s dismissal that brought an end to the partnership. It was Prabath Jayasuriya who got the breakthrough, as his delivery found the outside edge of Khawaja’s bat before it found Kusal Mendis’ gloves. But, before Khawaja was sent off, he managed to make an incredible double ton, scoring 232 runs off the 352 deliveries he faced, hitting 16 fours and one six along the way.

Josh Inglis brought up his own century not long after. Inglis’ debut innings in the test format saw him make a maiden ton, before he was sent off on a delivery from Jayasuriya that was caught by Kamindu Mendis.

Alex Carey almost made a half century of his own, but the Aussies declared while he was stuck on 46 runs.

Australia made 654 runs in 153.3 overs.

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