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Sport Nation
Fastest Australian century on Test debut: Inglis reflects on 'special' knock
Andrew Slevison • January 31st, 2025 9:54 am
Josh Inglis struck the second fastest Test debut hundred in history on Day 2 of Australia’s clash with Sri Lanka in Galle.
The 29-year-old reached 100 off 90 balls which sits behind India’s Shikhar Dhawan who made his debut century off 85 balls against Australia in 2013.
He broke Mark Waugh’s previous Australian record of 126 balls for a debut Test ton.
It all happened on a day where the tourists again dominated Sri Lanka, declaring at 6/654 with Usman Khawaja making 232 and Steve Smith adding 141, before taking three wickets (3/44) late in the day.
Inglis, the Leeds-born batter, became the 21st Aussie player to ‘ton up’ on Test debut and just the seventh overall to complete the feat on foreign soil when making 102 (off 94 balls).
“It’s probably not quite sunk in just yet,” Inglis told SEN Cricket.
“But obviously I’m really pumped with getting a hundred today, it doesn’t happen very often.
“To get in I just wanted to make it really count.”
Making a century on debut will now be a part of Inglis’ story for the rest of his life and he admits that is a special feeling.
“It is really special,” Inglis continued.
“I think I might retire now actually and just stick with one hundred from one dig (laughs).
“I’m really happy about how I went. I executed a game plan that we came up with in Dubai and it just worked through well in training.
“For that to come off today was nice.”
Prior to his Test bow, Inglis had accumulated 55 matches of international experience (29 T20s, 26 ODIs) while captaining the Aussie ODI team at stages.
He says he felt comfortable at the top level and was happy to make the most of the opportunity given.
“It’s nice to repay the selectors’ faith,” he said further.
“I’ve been around for a while now and you never know if you’re going to get a gig.
“To get the opportunity to play has been really nice and then to score a hundred just tops it off.”
The Australians will take a lead of 610 runs into Day 3 against Sri Lanka which kicks off at 3:20pm AEDT today.
Tune into SEN Cricket's live ball-by-ball commentary of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka on the Sport Nation app - available on Google Play and the App Store.
