Sri Lanka is staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia — 654-6 declared — on day two of the first test in Galle.

Australia's Usman Khawaja struck a maiden double hundred and Josh Inglis got a century on his test debut against Sri Lanka to power the tourists to a mammoth 654 for six before they declared their first innings on day two of the opening test on Thursday.

This is stand-in captain Steven Smith's advice to Australia's less-experienced batters, as he prepares to lead them in a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle. Of Australia's batters on tour, Smith understands the challenge ahead more than most - he has two hundreds in Sri Lanka,

Australia’s batters have feasted on Sri Lanka’s bowling, racking up milestones and dominance on a rain-curtailed opening day of the first test in Galle.

Travis Head will replace Sam Konstas as Usman Khawaja's opening partner in the first test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Wednesday, Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith said on the eve of the match.

Australian batting great Steve Smith begins a tour of Sri Lanka just one short of entering the elite club of 10,000 Test runs ahead of Wednesday's opening match in Galle. Sri Lanka hammered the visiting Australians 3-0 in 2016 but the last series in 2022 ended 1-1,

The rainy weather conditions have given Australia a selection problem for the opening test against Sri Lanka starting Wednesday, although one thing seems certain: Travis Head will open the batting. Stand-in captain Steve Smith has hinted at a range of strategies under consideration depending on the weather,

Travis Head has ousted Sam Konstas from the top of the Australian batting order for the first Test against Sri Lanka.