Warne’s prediction comes true, records tumble in Aussie Test demolition

Shane Warne has done it again, with yet another of the Spin King’s predictions coming true as Australia shattered records in Sri Lanka.

Yet another Shane Warne prediction has come true.

Josh Inglis scored his maiden century off just 90 balls on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, a knock many have seen coming for a long time.

The 29-year-old, who was born in England and moved to Australia as a teenager, became the 21st Australian to score a century on Test debut, and the first to do so since Adam Voges in 2015.

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The century was the second fastest ever by a Test debutant, behind only India’s Shikhar Dhawan’s 85-ball century in 2013 against Australia.

Inglis has made his T20 and ODI debuts for Australia in the past two years, and after a couple of years carrying the drinks for the Test side, was finally given his baggy green and slotted into the middle order in Sri Lanka.

His potential was signposted by Warne back in 2021, when the Spin King was coaching Inglis and the London Spirit in the Hundred in the UK..

Australia's Josh Inglis scored the second fastest century ever on Test debut. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

“He’s one of those new, modern 360 (degree) players,” Warne said.

“He’s got every single shot – he’s got the ramp, the reverse ramps and he’s got the traditional normal shots as well. He’s very switched on and hungry for knowledge.

“When you try to separate at top-level sport what makes a difference, sometimes it’s just the way they think or their match awareness of doing the right thing at the right time. So far he hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s very, very impressive and I reckon he’s going to be representing Australia very, very quickly.”

Another Shane Warne prediction has come true.

Australia's Josh Inglis seems ready made for Test cricket. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

Warne’s words were prophetic as Inglis used his feet and all of the crease to confidently dispatch Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers to all parts of the ground.

“It’s always nice to hear nice words about you from people who’ve done so much in the game,” Inglis said, per the SMH, after scoring his century.

“I loved my time with Warnie – he was a very good coach, full of stories, as you can imagine, and he offered a hell of a lot from a coaching perspective and I really enjoyed his company and his time over there.”

Warne’s freakish ability to read the game made him almost as good a commentator as he was a Test bowler, where he finished with 708 Test Wickets.

The Aussie Test legend tragically died in March, 2022, at the age of 52.

Among his many predictions was a call all the way back in 2016 that Travis Head was going to go on to become a superstar of the game.

In 2011, while playing for the Melbourne Stars, Warnie predicted how he was going to dismiss Brendon McCullum live on air … moments later he delivered.

His call to the switch the Gabba and Sydney Tests in the summer schedule looked sound when pouring rain in Brisbane caused a draw in the third Test against India.

On Day 1 on Wednesday, a large banner with the words “Shane Warne Stand” was placed on the historic Galle Fort that overlooks the stadium.

While the Shane Warne Stand at the MCG was a fitting honour for the late cricketer’s family, it appears they were just as touched by this small, poignant gesture in Sri Lanka.

“Hello everybody, I just wanted to quickly share this photo with you guys,” the legend’s son, Jackson Warne, said on a video on Instagram.

“This is a sign in honour of dad that the Sri Lankans have made for the Australia versus Sri Lanka Test.

“This is their first Test match in Galle … just wanted to share it with you guys because I think it’s awesome.

“So thank you to the Sri Lankans that have done this, it looks amazing.”

Records tumble on dominant day

Australia’s total of 6/654 declared is now the country’s highest ever Test total in Asia, surpassing the previous record of 617 in Faisalabad, Pakistan in 1980, when Greg Chappell scored 235.

Usman Khawaja posted his maiden Test double century and his highest Test score of 232. With 16 centuries to his name, he is now just one behind Adam Gilchrist’s tally of 17 Test tons.

Khawaja and Allan Border are the only two Australians to score Test hundreds in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.

The Aussie Test side is on a roll. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

Inglis century to create selection headache

In the past two years, Australia has given baggy greens to Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis.

Of that group, Inglis had to wait the longest time to get a call-up to Australia’s Test XI, but much like all-rounder Webster, he appears ready made for Test cricket and set for a long stint in the side.

Suddenly Australia’s ageing team has an embarrassment of riches that are sure to create some selection headaches over the next 12 months.

The make-up of the top six is particularly intriguing given Inglis’ strong start, Webster’s assuredness at the crease and the fact Cameron Green is all but certain to return to the XI for June’s World Test championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s.

Green is expected to be available for selection as a specialist batter as he returns from back surgery.

Marnus Labuschagne is the batter most out of form — he has scored seven half centuries since his last hundred in the 2023 Ashes.

But it would take a brave selector to drop the incumbent No. 3 and shake-up the batting order to fit Inglis, Green, Konstas and Webster into the side.

Kurtis Patterson is also pressing for an international recall, scoring a century for Australia A against the England Lions.

Patterson, 31, scored a century against Sri Lanka in Canberra in 2019.

After the WTC Final, Australia plays three Tests in the West Indies before next summer’s Ashes.

Originally published as Warne’s prediction comes true, records tumble in Aussie Test demolition