Usman Khawaja Achieves Maiden Double Century as Steve Smith Hits 10,000 Test Runs

During the ongoing first Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, Usman Khawaja delivered a remarkable performance by scoring his first double century. He achieved this milestone just before the lunch break on Day 2, finishing with a total of 232 runs off 352 deliveries, which included 16 fours and one six.

Khawaja's latest achievement surpassed his previous highest score of an unbeaten 195 against South Africa in 2023. Additionally, he broke the record held by Justin Langer for the most runs scored by an Australian player in Sri Lanka, which was previously set at 166 runs in Colombo in 2004. Alongside Khawaja, stand-in captain Steve Smith also made significant contributions, leading to a new record for the highest third-wicket partnership for Australia in Asia, overcoming a 46-year-old record held by Allan Border and Kim Hughes.

Smith's innings of 141 runs, achieved from 251 balls and featuring 12 fours and two sixes, contributed significantly to the team's innings. He had made headlines a day earlier by reaching his 35th Test century and joining the elite group of Australian players who have crossed the 10,000-run mark in Test history. Smith now stands fourth among Australian run-scorers, with a remarkable total of 10,140 runs from 115 Tests at an average of 56.33.

His career has also seen him accumulate 35 centuries, placing him ahead of several cricket legends in the list of Test centuries. In the current ICC World Test Championship, Smith ranks as one of the top run-scorers, with 1193 runs and four centuries across 34 innings, proving his consistency and dedication to the sport.