Steve Smith has been labelled a tactical “genius” by Australian spinner Matt Kuhnemann after the stand-in skipper helped set up the wicket of Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva on Friday.

The total of 654 scored against Sri Lanka in the first innings in Galle is Australia’s 13th highest in Test history and their highest ever in the sub-continent. Their previous best in Asia came back in 1980 in Faisalabad against Pakistan, where they posted 617.

Rain slows Australia's progress on day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle as only two wickets fall.

It was a debut three years in the making but Josh Inglis made it one to remember with a thrilling century against Sri Lanka to give Australia another selection headache in the lead-up to the World Test Championship.

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.

Usman Khawaja's double century, complemented by emphatic hundreds from Steve Smith and debutant Josh Inglis, propelled Australia to an unprecedented score in Galle. Declaring at 654/6, they left Sri Lanka struggling at 44/3,

Dinesh Chandimal has scored an unbeaten 63 as Sri Lanka struggled to 136-5 at lunch on Day 3 in reply to Australia's imposing first innings of 654 in the first cricket test.

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.

Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten half-century and persistent rain in Galle delayed Australia's push for victory in the opening test against Sri Lanka on Friday. Only a 27-over session was possible on day three with Sri Lanka losing two wickets and slumping to 136-5 before rain stopped play.

With the Sri Lanka vs Australia Test series set to kick off at Galle International Stadium, explore the pitch conditions, historical records, and the highest individual scores at this iconic venue.

Australia's charge to get quick wickets was halted as rain saved Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the first Test between both sides in Galle on Friday, January 31. Dinesh Chandimal waged a lone battle on a day that was curtailed by rain.