Khawaja satisfied to put middling series behind him with first Test ton since 2023

Australian opener Usman Khawaja says his superb century against Sri Lanka was “very satisfying” after a middling summer series.

In the recent Border-Gavaskar series win over India in Australia, Khawaja made 184 runs from 10 innings at an average of 20.4 with a highest score of 57, so it’s safe to say he was thrilled to find some runs in Galle.

Khawaja found himself unbeaten on 147 at stumps on Day 1 of the first Test of the Warne-Muralitharan series as the hosts compiled 2/330.

It was his first Test century in Sri Lanka, first since June 2023 and 16th overall.

“It’s very satisfying,” Khawaja told SEN Cricket.

“To be honest, the summer was tough in patches for me, but it was a great summer too. We won 3-1.

“When you get to my age you really enjoy the wins and savour (them). As much as you want to contribute you know at some stage your turn and time will hopefully come.

“I’m glad I did it today and hopefully it can set this Test match up and win another Test match.”

While the humid conditions were tricky and the pitch was starting to turn, Khawaja kept his head alongside stand-in skipper Steve Smith who passed his 10,000th Test run on the way to 104 not out - his 34th century in the longest format of the game.

Khawaja highlighted the strong Aussie batting partnerships, particularly the 195 runs he and Smith have conjured together so far.

“Honestly, that’s some of the best batting partnerships I’ve been involved with,” the 38-year-old added.

“I felt like I batted really well but Steve Smith at the other end batted beautifully. I thought Marnus (Labuschagne, 20) batted really well when he first came in and ‘Heady’ (Travis Head, 57) at the top batted really well.

“I batted with all of those guys and credit to us batsmen, it’s turning and we could have easily been seven or eight down. We just batted really well.

“That wicket is not going to get any easier, that wicket will definitely turn more and more.

“Fingers crossed we can get a big total in the first innings.”

Khawaja’s 147 has come from 210 deliveries at a strike rate of 70 with 10 fours and one six.

Day 2 of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka commences at 3:15pm AEDT today.

You can hear all the SEN Cricket action LIVE on SEN after The New Ball with Tom Morris and Bharat Sundaresan from 2-3pm.