Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis compiled career-defining hundreds before Sri Lanka crumbled in a late collapse as Australia dominated day two of the Warne–Muralitharan Trophy opener in Galle.

Usman Khawaja’s maiden Test double century and a rapid ton from debutant Josh Inglis decimated a flagging Sri Lanka before Australia’s attack breathed life into a slow Galle surface late on day two. After stand-in captain Steven Smith declared Australia’s innings on 654 for 6 midway through the final session,

The rainy weather conditions have given Australia a selection problem for the opening test against Sri Lanka starting Wednesday, although one thing seems certain: Travis Head will open the batting.

Australia’s batters have feasted on Sri Lanka’s bowling, racking up milestones and dominance on a rain-curtailed opening day of the first test in Galle.

Khawaja's eight-hour-plus knock of 232 off 352 balls was historic — the first Australian to score a double hundred in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka 44/3 at stumps on Day 2 of the first Test against Australia in Galle. The Aussies posted a mammoth score of 645/6d after resuming the day on 330/2. Overnight centurions Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith started well before the former reached his maiden double-century.

Travis Head will replace Sam Konstas as Usman Khawaja's opening partner in the first test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Wednesday, Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith said on the eve of the match.

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Jan 30, (AP): Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest-ever total in Asia - 654-6 declared - on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun, Sri Lanka’s batting resistance was minimal.

Australia had Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja's first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday. His previous best was an unbeaten 195 against South Africa in 2023 at Sydney and he is now the first Australian batsman to make a double ton in Sri Lanka.

Australia's Usman Khawaja struck a maiden double hundred and Josh Inglis got a century on his test debut against Sri Lanka to power the tourists to a mammoth 654 for six before they declared their first innings on day two of the opening test on Thursday.