SL vs AUS: Usman Khawaja Breaks the Long Drought! Smashes 16th Test Century in Style
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Australian opener Usman Khawaja made a strong comeback with a brilliant century on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, January 29. This century marked his 16th Test hundred, ending a 19-month wait for a triple-figure score. His last Test century came in the first match of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston.
Usman Khawaja brings up his 16th Test match century!
A quality innings in Galle, coming from 135 deliveries to get Australia off to the perfect start in the series
pic.twitter.com/1TlGn3m3JP
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 29, 2025
Khawaja’s patient knock on Day 1 not only brought him personal success but also helped Australia build a solid foundation. He became the sixth Australian opener to score a century in Sri Lanka.
Usman Khawaja’s Innings and Partnership with Smith
Khawaja started his innings cautiously, managing just three runs off the first 15 balls. He found his rhythm with a boundary against Asitha Fernando in the fifth over and soon began to play with more freedom. As his opening partner Travis Head attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers, Khawaja settled in, taking on Nishan Peiris with a boundary and a six.
When Head was dismissed on 57, Khawaja stayed steady at one end. He reached his half-century off 71 balls with a single against Prabath Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka had a chance to dismiss him earlier at 54, but Khawaja was dropped by Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva at slip.
Khawaja made Sri Lanka regret the missed opportunity as he found support in Steve Smith. The two batters built a strong partnership, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers. In the second session, Smith took an aggressive approach while Khawaja rotated the strike and found occasional boundaries.
Khawaja reached his century off 135 balls with a flicked boundary against Fernando to fine leg. Smith, too, reached his half-century off 57 balls, making the Sri Lankan bowlers toil hard. Together, they put on an unbeaten 126-run partnership for the third wicket, taking Australia to 261/2 at tea with Khawaja (119*) and Smith (64*) well-established at the crease.
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