Steve Smith continued to assert his dominance in Test cricket as the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka unfolded in Galle. Smith became the 15th batter in history to cross the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket on Day 1. Achieving this milestone in his 205th innings, he became the fifth-fastest to reach the remarkable figure, further solidifying his legacy.
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Former Indian cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri praised Smith’s consistency and adaptability. Speaking to Fox Cricket, Shastri said that the Australian batsman’s passion for the game and his ability to evolve has made him a standout player. Shastri recalled seeing Smith’s resilience during different challenges, including his century on a rank turner in India.
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He stressed how Smith’s flexibility to change according to conditions has differentiated him from others. “What surprises me is how he’s ready to adapt to different conditions,” said Ravi Shastri. “Even when he’s not at his best, he finds ways to get into positions to score runs.” Shastri also pointed out Smith’s ability to stay ahead of the curve despite intense scrutiny from teams and video analysts, noting that Smith’s career average of over 55, even at the age of 35, is a testament to his greatness.
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In the ongoing Test match, Australia ended Day 1 with 330/2 on the board, with both Smith and Usman Khawaja scoring centuries. Smith finished unbeaten on 104*, while Khawaja was not out at 147*. The pair’s partnership of 195 runs off 307 balls anchored Australia’s position, with both batters finding the boundary regularly, hitting 10 fours and a six each.
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Earlier in the day, Australia had won the toss and had elected to bat first. Their openers, Khawaja and Travis Head, gave the side a solid start. Head scored 57 off just 40 balls to give momentum, though he lost his wicket just when he would have liked to push for a larger score.