Australian opener Usman Khawaja silenced his critics in emphatic fashion, registering a superb century on a turning track in Galle during the first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

After reaching the historic 10,000-run milestone with a single, Steve Smith went on to score his 35th Test century and helped Australia reach 330 for 2 on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Australia's decision to drop Sam Konstas and not Usman Khawaja paid dividends as the veteran opener remained not out on 147 at Stumps on Day 1.

Steve Smith joined legends Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh in this elite club, achieving the milestone in just 205 innings the fifth-fastest in Test history.

Sam Konstas, who has played two Tests for Australia, boasts a promising record in first-class cricket.

Steve Smith scored a century on Day 1 of the Test series opener against Sri Lanka while also completing 10,000 runs in the longest format of the game.

SL vs AUS 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Steve Smith stood unbeaten on 104 and helped Australia pummel Sri Lanka.

Injured Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka is unlikely to play the first Test against Australia in Galle, starting on Wednesday

Kaminud Mendis had a stellar year in Test cricket, amassing 1049 runs in nine matches at an astounding average of 74.92.

India's lack of international commitments in the 50-over format in 2024 had a bearing on the ICC men's ODI Team of the Year with not a single cricketer from the country making it to the list

Reports have suggested that Australia are considering Travis Head to open the batting in Test cricket as well.

In an encouraging update ahead of the Sri Lanka Test series, Cricket Australia revealed that star batter Steve Smith's elbow injury is not as bad as it seemed and has been cleared to join the Test squad.

Steve Smith was named as Australia's Test captain for the Sri Lanka tour after Pat Cummins was unavailable due to left ankle soreness and the birth of his second child.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said that in consultation with Cricket Australia it has added an extra ODI to its schedule of home series against Australia

Travis Head, who wreaked havoc with the bat during the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar series against India in the middle order, has been tested in the opener's role in the sub-continent.

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins.

New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series.

If Australia were to incur an eight-point deduction across the two remaining matches and Sri Lanka swept the series 2-0, the Lankans would overtake Australia to claim the spot in the WTC final.