"Battle in the Subcontinent: Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Series"

 Australia dominated the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, closing at 330 for 2 before rain ended play early. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia made a strong start with Travis Head, promoted to opener, scoring a rapid 57 off 40 balls in a 92-run partnership with Usman Khawaja. Khawaja continued his fine form, remaining unbeaten on 147, while Steve Smith reached a significant milestone, becoming the fourth Australian to surpass 10,000 Test runs, ending the day on 104 not out. 

The decision to drop 19-year-old Sam Konstas in favor of Head as opener has sparked debate. Former captain Ricky Ponting criticized the move, suggesting it missed an opportunity to develop Konstas' skills in subcontinental conditions. Despite the controversy, Head's aggressive innings provided Australia with a solid foundation. 

Sri Lanka struggled to contain the Australian batsmen, with missed opportunities in the field compounding their challenges. The hosts will need a significant turnaround on day two to regain a foothold in the match. 

scoreboard Day1