Australian keeper-batter Josh Inglis on Thursday achieved a fast century-a record for the fastest century by an Australian on Test debut; second fastest overall-in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle. Inglis, on this occasion batting at number five, already has 26 one-day and 29 Twenty20 matches to his credit. He scored a four with his very first ball on seeing the spinners operate, and that was it. Inglis slammed his way to a fifty in 51 balls, with five fours. The century, scored off 90 balls and featuring 10 fours and a six, made him the fastest Australian to get one.
According to Wisden, the record is held by former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, who scored an 87-ball century against Australia in 2013, surpassing Dwayne Smith of the West Indies, who had scored a 93-ball century against South Africa in 2004.
Inglis made 102 off 94 balls, with 10 fours and a six, at a strike rate of 108.51.
His strike rate of 108.51 is also the highest strike rate in Tests for any debutant; Shikhar’s 107.47 strike rate was amassed in 174 balls for 187 against Australia.
Australia won the toss and opted to bat first.
A 92-run partnership was formed between Usman Khawaja and Travis Head (57 in 40 balls, comprising 10 fours and a six). Steve Smith became the fourth Australian to enter the 10,000 Test runs club, and centuries from him and Khawaja saw Australia finish day one with the score at 330/2.
On the second day, it was a day of misery and runs for Sri Lanka, as the spin trio of Prabath Jayasuriya (3-193), Jeffrey Vandersay (3-182), and Nishan Peiris (0-189) had no hope left. Smith was removed by Vandersay for 141 off 251 balls, with 12 fours and 2 sixes, after Australia had surpassed the 400-run mark. Khawaja converted his century into his maiden double century, eventually hitting 232 off 352 balls with 16 fours and a six. On debut in Test cricket, Josh Inglis clobbered a magnificent 102 off 94 balls at a strike rate of 108.51, making use of 10 fours and a six to take Australia past 600.
Important contributions were made with the appropriate form of play from Alex Carey (46), Beau Webster (23), and Mitchell Starc (19); Australia managed 654/6 declared, the highest score ever in Asia, beating the previous record of 617 achieved against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1980.
Sri Lanka, having lost early wickets in their first innings, ended day one at 44/3, with Kamindu Mendis (13) and Dinesh Chandimal (9) at the crease.
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