Khawaja, Smith score tons as Aussies bully Sri Lanka

Australia were 2-330 on Wednesday when rain forced stumps to be called 20 minutes early at 4.40pm.

Smith became only the fourth Australian to reach 10,000 Test runs when he played a quick single to mid-on in the minutes before the lunch break.

Steve Smith acknowledges the crowd after completing his 10,000 Test runs milestone. (AP PHOTO)

For his part, 38-year-old Khawaja fired back at those who had questioned his Test future during a lukewarm home summer, raising his bat for a first ton since June 2023.

Khawaja had gone 33 innings without a Test century but has now breathed life into a Test career he recently insisted he had no immediate plans to end.

The veteran appeared content at stumps, having picked up where he left off following a dominant last subcontinent tour to India in 2023.

"I'm not here for anyone but the team," Khawaja said.

"(Australia coach) Andrew McDonald, one thing last year he said to me, 'I don't care what happens, just make sure you're on the Sri Lankan tour'.

"I'm not just playing cricket because I've got a gluttony to score lots of runs. Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen hundreds is not going to make a difference to my life. When I finish this game, I've got beautiful kids and a family.

Steve Smith will never get a bigger cheer for getting off the mark 😎 — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/B0IF9BL0Z8January 29, 2025

"I'm pretty chill with everything, but it's nice to get 100 after the summer because it was a tough time."

Sri Lanka wasted several chances hunting a breakthrough, notably declining to review appeals that would have dismissed Head LBW and Khawaja caught behind.

Khawaja was dropped twice behind the stumps either side of lunch, with Smith also put down by Prabath Jayasuriya (1-102) from his own bowling after the stand-in captain scored the one run he needed for his milestone.

Kamindu Mendis later fumbled a difficult chance to dismiss Smith in the air at cover.

"It's a tough day in the office," said Sri Lanka spin-bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge.

"It's not a usual Galle wicket. It's on the slower side but you can't put the blame on the wicket. When the wicket is not helping the bowlers, you should look for alternatives.

"We've got a big task in our hands tomorrow."

Usman Khawaja used the reverse sweep to telling effect in his undefeated innings. (AP PHOTO)

Smith and Khawaja made their hosts pay, to the delight of a healthy Galle crowd comprising more Australian tourists than Sri Lankan locals.

Khawaja initially played the steady hand next to Head, who brought up his half-century in 35 balls - the equal sixth-fastest Test 50 by an Australian.

But when the No.5-turned-opener holed out to long on, Khawaja took charge.

Khawaja flaunted his sweep shot on a slow pitch offering limited bounce and played Asitha Fernando past fine leg for four to bring up his 16th Test ton.

A beautiful six down the ground towards the historic Galle Fort, and three fours from the same Jeffrey Vandersay (1-93) over were the highlights of Smith's fastest Test-half century, brought up from 57 balls.

Sri Lanka targeted leg stump to stem the flow of runs after tea before Smith sized Vandersay up again.

Smith belted the hot-and-cold legspinner for two fours past mid-wicket in three balls before he brought up a 35th Test century by running three from Nishan Peiris (0-93).

A pitch invader pulled focus from the moment in the middle, clad only in underpants and waving a lewd sign making reference to Travis Head's surname.

Khawaja (l) and Travis Head (r) got Australia off to a flying start. (AP PHOTO)

The firepower could keep coming even if the hosts can break Smith and Khawaja's partnership early on day two, with specialist Josh Inglis coming in at No.5 for his Test debut.

Australia named a spin-heavy attack winning Wednesday's toss, with all three off-spinners Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy picked ahead of second front-line quick Scott Boland.