Watch cricket video highlights of Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025. Second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka. Venue of the match will be Galle.
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Usman Khawaja achieved his first Test double century, and a quick hundred from debutant Josh Inglis overwhelmed a struggling Sri Lanka, while Australia’s bowlers injected energy into a sluggish Galle pitch late on day two. After stand-in captain Steven Smith declared Australia’s innings at 654 for 6 in the middle of the final session, Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed, losing three wickets within the first 10 overs. With rain interrupting play, Sri Lanka ended the day at 44 for 3, with Australia firmly in control of the first Test.
Having fielded for 154 overs, openers Oshada Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne were dismissed within the first five overs. With Mitchell Starc chosen as Australia’s sole frontline fast bowler, it was interesting to see who would partner him with the new ball. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, making his Test debut after nearly two years, was a brilliant selection and struck by dismissing Fernando lbw for 7 in his first over.
Bowling from around the wicket, Kuhnemann confidently trapped Fernando on the edge of his front pad, and after Fernando unsuccessfully reviewed the decision, Kuhnemann rejoiced when it was upheld, marking his swift recovery from a thumb injury suffered during a BBL game on January 16. Sri Lanka’s troubles deepened when Karunaratne edged a short ball from Starc to gully, where substitute fielder Nathan McSweeney managed to make the catch on the second attempt after a dive following the bobbling ball.
Having had minimal action in the recent series against India, offspinner Nathan Lyon capped off Australia’s nearly flawless day by taking the wicket of Angelo Mathews, who was expertly caught by Travis Head at short leg. Australia capitalized on winning the toss and opting to bat first on a slow pitch in steamy conditions, accumulating their highest-ever total against Sri Lanka. Khawaja ended with an impressive 232 runs off 352 deliveries before falling early in the second session that was largely dominated by Inglis.
Who became the first Australian debutant to score a Test century since his Western Australia coach, Adam Voges, in 2015. Inglis reached his hundred from just 90 balls and celebrated jubilantly, visible emotion on his parents’ faces in the stands. He joined Michael Clarke and Shaun Marsh as Australian players to score centuries on Test debut in Asia. Inglis demonstrated his skill against spin with assertive footwork, whether advancing down the pitch or retreating into the crease.
His aggressive playing style and experience as captain of the ODI and T20I teams highlighted why selectors were eager to include him in the lineup. Inglis, a Western Australia wicketkeeper participating as a specialist batter, shared the moment of his century with current keeper Alex Carey at the wicket before he was dismissed for 102 after facing 94 balls. Khawaja, earlier in the innings, achieved a personal best in Test runs, surpassing his 195 not out against South Africa at the SCG in 2023 when rain prompted Australia’s declaration.
Khawaja and Smith were at the heart of Australia’s enormous first innings, forming a partnership of 266 runs. Smith was the only wicket to fall during the morning session, getting caught lbw for 141 by legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, Sri Lanka’s most dangerous bowler. Smith added 37 runs to his overnight score after a remarkable opening day where he became the fourth Australian to achieve 10,000 Test runs while securing his 35th century.
The 38-year-old Khawaja celebrated his first Test double century just before lunch, kneeling to bow to the ground as the crowd, many of whom were Australian, applauded enthusiastically. He previously surpassed Justin Langer’s score of 166 in Colombo in 2004, setting the record for the highest score by an Australian in Sri Lanka. After facing difficulties with spin in his early career in South Asia, Khawaja has become only the second Australian, following Allan Border, to secure Test centuries in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Khawaja has made a remarkable return after enduring an 18-month drought without a Test century, having faced challenges against Jasprit Bumrah in his most recent series against India. Sri Lanka relied solely on their four frontline bowlers, with the only fast bowler, Asith Fernando, bowling just 15 overs. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya struggled to make an impact, finishing with figures of 3 for 193 off 60 overs, a stark contrast to his impressive 12 wickets against Australia on the same venue in 2022.
The Sri Lankan bowlers could not counter Australia’s aggressive batting style or halt the run flow. Their poor fielding performance on the opening day, where they missed multiple chances to dismiss both Khawaja and Smith, proved to be costly. Australia began the day on 330 for 2, with play starting 15 minutes early after rain had curtailed the first day’s action. After taking a defensive leg-stump approach late on day one, Jayasuriya shifted to attacking the stumps in an attempt to make use of the new ball.
However, after just four overs, Smith displayed his intent, charging down the pitch as the partnership exceeded 200 runs. Khawaja effectively executed the reverse sweep on day one, but was fortunate with his first attempt in the morning’s session when he narrowly cleared Peiris at short third for a boundary. A third consecutive wicketless session seemed inevitable for Sri Lanka until Vandersay fooled Smith with a delivery that deviated and struck him on the back pad.
Vandersay’s enthusiastic appeal was initially dismissed, but a review overturned the decision, bringing significant relief to Sri Lanka. After nearly 100 overs, Inglis finally came to the crease, anxiously chewing gum as he awaited his first delivery in Test cricket. He began well, hitting a boundary by driving Vandersay through mid-on, and looked confident against the spin. He demonstrated his confidence by advancing down the track and hitting several shots down the ground, quickly reaching 44 at a run-a-ball pace by tea.
Fernando was introduced into the attack after the break in an effort to ignite some momentum for his struggling team. However, his short-ball delivery was met with disdain by Inglis, who was accustomed to the fast and bouncy conditions at the WACA. Inglis brought up his half-century off 51 balls, becoming the third Australian debutant in as many matches to achieve that feat, following Beau Webster and Sam Konstas.
Shortly after the duo crossed their 100-run partnership, Inglis was given out lbw on 58 by Nishan Peiris, being struck on the back leg after missing a reverse sweep. However, he reviewed the decision immediately, and it was overturned after a nick on the bat was detected. Inglis remained calm and continued to attack, but Khawaja’s determined innings finally ended when Jayasuriya lured an edge to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. Inglis reached his century with a push through the off-side before he was caught at cover, as Jayasuriya’s hard work was once again rewarded.
Australia put Sri Lanka under intense pressure until Smith ultimately declared, making batting suddenly very challenging for the overwhelmed home side.
