Rain halts Australia’s first innings after Smith and Khawaja hit brilliant hundreds against hapless Sri Lankans

Thanks for joining today.

Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja have guided Australia to a commanding position at the end of day one.

Showed their class in spades. Khawaja broke a century drought spanning 33 innings, while Smith reached 10,000 Test runs before bringing up his 35th century in style.

Keep an eye on our mastheads for all the latest news and analysis from Dan Brettig in Galle.

I’m signing off for tonight. I’ll be back in the blogging chair tomorrow to do it all again.

See you then. Cheers.

Steve Smith after scoring his century in Galle. Credit: Getty Images

Question from Mick: “How often would Khawaja have a higher strike rate than Smith when they both made tons?”

TD: Great question. I’ve just looked up the times when it’s happened. This is the only time.

• Australia vs South Africa in 2023 (Sydney) … Khawaja 195 off 368 (strike rate 52.98), Smith 104 off 192 (54.16)
• Australia vs West Indies in 2015 (Melbourne) … Khawaja 144 off 227 (strike rate 63.43), 134 off 177 (strike rate 75.7).
• Currently, Khawaja is 147 off 210 (strike rate 70) and Smith is 104 off 188 (55.31).

Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith run between the wickets.Credit: AP

“The perfect day for Australia”.

Simon Katich sums it up perfectly as Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith come off the field due to rain in Galle.

There are still 8.5 overs that are supposed to be bowled but that’ll depend on how much is behind this storm.

These two have put on 195 runs. It’s been batting of the highest order against slow bowling.

Khawaja is on 147, while Smith is 104.

Usman Khawaja has been in outstanding touch today. Credit: Getty Images

In other news, as Usman Khawaja belts a reverse sweep for four, a bloke smoking a durry has been taken from the field.

Australia 2-327 with less than 10 overs remaining in the day.

A pitch invader is taken from the ground during day one of the First Test match in the series between Sri Lanka and Australia at Galle International Stadium.Credit: Getty Images

There it is. Credit: Getty Images

Smith salutes the crowd. Credit: Getty Images

There it is.

Steve Smith needed one run for 10,000 in Tests. He got there.

Then he was dropped on one.

Now he has 100 runs for an overall tally of 10,099.

He brings up his 35th Test century with a backfoot punch for three through the off side. Smith moves to No.7 on the list of Test century makers, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar, Younis Khan, Mahela Jayawardene and Brian Lara.

What a player. Sensational dig.

Australia 2-316

As Australia reaches 300 and breaks a 100-ball boundary drought, Dan Brettig answers a reader question.

Question from Dave: “How high can Steve Smith climb on the all-time run-scorers list? Let’s assume he bats for another two Ashes series, how many more runs is he likely to score?”

Wonderful batting. Beautiful players of spin. However, they have had their luck today. Things could have been very different had Sri Lanka taken their chances.

Just 22 runs have come from the last 10 overs. Might be time for a little bit of chocolate or some ice cream.

Australia 2-287 off 72 overs

Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith run between the wickets. Credit: AP

As the dots pile up and the pace of the game slows down, let’s take a few questions. Fire away.

It’s been 68 balls since Australia last scored a boundary.

Australia 2-278 (Khawaja 128, Smith 72)

Steve Smith goes about his work. Credit: Getty Images