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Steve Smith and Alex Carey will sleep easy tonight. Some seriously impressive batting. Australian cricket is in rude health at the moment.
See you next time. Cheers.
Alex Carey celebrates his century. Credit: nna\lachlan.harper
What a day for the Australians.
Magnificent hundreds from Steve Smith (120) and Alex Carey (139) have put Australia in a commanding position in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Coming to the crease together at 3-91 after the early wickets of Travis Head (21), Usman Khawaja (36) and Marnus Labuschagne (4), this was as good a partnership as you will see.
Smith’s insatiable appetite for runs continued as he notched his fourth century from five Tests. Reverse sweeps were a new feature of Smith’s game - he used them to good effect - as Carey came along for the ride and joined in the fun with his second Test century.
Carey was only batting at No.5 because Josh Inglis had to spend time off the field due to back spasms. Talk about taking your opportunity. Carey made 90 runs in that final session.
These two have put on 239 runs for the fourth wicket. It’s the fourth-highest partnership (for any wicket) by an Australian pair in Sri Lanka.
Australia 3-330 (Smith 120 from 239 balls, Carey 139 from 156 balls)
Steve Smith plays a pull shot on day two in Galle. Credit: AP
Despite their best efforts, Sri Lanka just can’t remove this pair.
Tough going for the home side, who are facing a massive stint in the field tomorrow as well.
Carey now has his highest Test score and has more runs than Smith today. His cover drive (for four) from the final ball of the 76th over is as good as it gets. Seeing them so well.
With four overs remaining in the day, this pair will be desperate to finish the job off.
Australia 3-316, lead by 59 runs
The punters are loving it in Galle. Credit: Getty Images
Anyone got a chair?Credit: AP
Test ton No.2. And approval from the doyen. Credit: Getty Images
A kiss of the baggy green. Credit: AP
BANG. Century. What a knock.
Alex Carey has done it with another cracking sweep shot. It beats both fielders on the deep backward square boundary.
He raises the bat after an innings comprising 118 balls. There’s a little fist bump in there too. Carey loves it.
And don’t forget, Carey was promoted up the order because Inglis had spent too much time off the field.
Just as people started to wonder whether Inglis might be breathing down Carey’s neck, the South Australian has delivered on the big stage at No.5.
Australia in complete control in Galle. 3-277
Alex Carey has his second Test century. Credit: AP
Now that Smith has reached triple figures, all eyes turn to Alex Carey. A terrific sweep shot gets him to 96.
He’s only made the one Test hundred, against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test of 2022.
Does a bloke deserve a chair at a drinks break more?
Australia have now gone past Sri Lanka’s first innings total.