Aussie debutant's proud parents shed tears of joy as they revel in son's heroics against Sri Lanka - and why a picture of the batsman with Kaiser Chiefs is going viral

Josh Inglis has made the most of his long-awaited first match in the baggy green, becoming the first Australian in a decade to score a century on Test debut.

After Usman Khawaja (232) fell caught behind in the first Test against Sri Lanka, Inglis assumed the mantle of chief destroyer to bring up triple figures, punching Nishan Peiris to deep extra cover.

The West Australian gestured to his family in the Galle crowd and embraced batting partner Alex Carey, the man for whom he has long been back-up wicketkeeper at Test level.

His proud parents, Martin and Sarah were sat in the crowd to watch his epic achievement and reveled in the 29-year-old's sensational feat, with his mum stating she was so nervous, she 'felt like jelly,' as she watched her son crack triple figures.

'Unbelievable, obviously, just unbelievable, I'm lost for words,' Martin told 7Cricket.

'It's weird, it's like winning the lottery,' Sarah added.

Josh Inglis pointed his bat to his parents in the stands at the Galle International Stadium after smashing his way to a Test century on his debut

Josh Inglis' proud parents Sarah and Martin reveled in their son's heroics on Thursday

If Josh Inglis' parents weren't already over the moon yesterday when he made his Test debut, imagine how they're feeling now!

Martin and Sarah Inglis talk to @tom_wilson7 right after Josh's century at Galle 🙌#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/QHw7MUkBQh — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 30, 2025

'He's cool, he's cool,' Martin said, speaking on how well his son batted, before adding he was going to have a few cold beverages to celebrate.

Inglis and his family had relocated to Australia from Yorkshire in England when he was 14. And a surprise photo of him when he was younger has been going viral online, with Mail Sport's cricket correspondent, Richard Gibson, posting a snap of the Aussie batter bizarrely posing for a picture alongside the Kaiser Chiefs back in 2008 when he won a sports award in year eight.

Today, Inglis came in at No 5, Inglis (102 from 94 balls) and vindicated his selection as a specialist batter, showcasing his skill against spin and looking comfortable from the outset.

He notably smacked Jeffrey Vandersay for four to mid-on on the first ball he faced, unfazed that the legspinner had trapped Steve Smith (141) lbw the previous delivery.

Just after lunch, Inglis became the third Australian in a row to bring up a half-century in his first Test knock after Sam Konstas and Beau Webster did the same in the India series.

But the West Australian was not done there, whacking Vandersay over long-on for six to move into the 80s, and finishing that over with a four through the covers.

By the time he edged Prabath Jayasuriya to cover, Inglis had become the 21st Australian - and first since Adam Voges in June 2015 - to score a century on Test debut.

It had been a long time coming for Inglis, who has captained Australia in white-ball cricket and made 55 appearances across one-day and Twenty20 Internationals.

Josh Inglis becomes the first Yorkshireman to score a Test hundred in the Ashes year of 2025 with a debut effort for Australia v Sri Lanka in Galle. Here he is getting a Year 8 sports award from Kaiser Chiefs as a 13-year-old in 2008, two years before emigrating. pic.twitter.com/WnlXK1SU2W — Richard Gibson (@richardgibsonDM) January 30, 2025

Inglis was the first Australian in 10 years to achieve the feat and did so in just 90 balls

Inglis' promotion to the XI had not been without controversy, given it came at the expense of star teenager Konstas - dropped to allow Travis Head to move to the top of the order

Usman Khawaja also dazzled on Thursday afternoon striking his first-ever double century

His promotion to the XI had not been without controversy, given it came at the expense of star teenager Konstas - dropped to allow Travis Head to move to the top of the order.

But with his track record in Asia, including Australia's 2023 World Cup win in India, Inglis had become too enticing a selection prospect.

Inglis has now given selectors a headache, with Head likely to slot back to No 5 in home conditions and Konstas vying for a recall at the top.

On Wednesday, Yorkshire-born Inglis had his baggy green presented to him by Australian Test great Geoff Marsh, and was ribbed by his teammates during the ceremony in Galle.

'There's been a lot of jokes, probably from me because I'm Pakistani, I like to joke about his heritage,' Khawaja said at stumps on day one.

'I asked him if (Yorkshire cricket legend) Geoffrey Boycott was going to give him his hat today. Then we just started rattling off lots of Yorkshire players.'

Behind the jokes, the Australian team had been confident in Inglis' ability to thrive in Sri Lanka after a summer averaging 72.6 across three matches for WA.

'He's a terrific player,' Khawaja had said.

'I look forward to seeing him bat out there because I think these conditions will very much suit him.'

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