No Glenn Maxwell,no spitting spin,no treacherous variable bounce,no spectators atop the Galle fort,and no – at least on current evidence – three-day Test match.
Instead,the start of Australia’s attempt to seal a second consecutive series victory in South Asia was characterised by the kinds of interludes that have been much more customary over the past three years.
Principally,that meant the sights of Marnus Labuschagne (104) and Steve Smith (109 not out) each settling at the crease for a long stay. As settled that is,as the perpetually caffeinated Labuschagne and fervently finicky Smith can be. The stumps tally of 5-298 was built upon the first time the pair had made centuries in the same Test innings.
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![Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/5a0c680d26e395268b710a1f2ecc27f9388e2f13)
Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith.Getty Images