Smith screamers highlight O'Keefe's haul

Steve O’Keefe has staked his claim for the first Test against Sri Lanka with a starring role on the opening day of Australia’s three-day contest against a Board XI at P Sara Stadium in Colombo.

The left-arm tweaker finished with figures of 5-43 from 12.2 overs to dismiss the hosts for 229 in just 57.2 overs on day one, before Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja made it to stumps with Australia 1-127.

Australia 1-127 with Burns and Khawaja unbeaten at stumps. Solid day out for the tourists #SLTour pic.twitter.com/qFqsVwIHmi — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 18, 2016

Mitchell Starc earlier made an immediate impact in his return to first-class cricket, trapping opener Osanda Fernando in front with the third ball of the day.

Starc bowled with serious pace and his trademark swing in an initial four-over spell, no doubt pleasing current bowling coach Allan Donald watching from the sidelines.

Tasmanian seamer Jackson Bird also caused problems for the home side with subtle movement through the air and off a strip offering more grass than is likely to be seen on any of the Test pitches over the next month.

Bird then claimed the second breakthrough of the day when Madawa Warnapura edged through to Mitch Marsh at gully.

The tourists offered no respite when Mitch Marsh’s introduction to the attack produced another wicket courtesy of Manoj Sarathchandra’s nick one behind to Peter Nevill for 14.

Aussie quicks strike early in Colombo

Australia thought they had snared another scalp during Starc’s second spell, but Asela Gunarathna was handed a reprieve when the umpire turned down a strong appeal for caught behind.

The home side were able to steady thanks to a 101-run stand between Gunarathna (58) and captain Milinda Siriwardana (53) for the fourth wicket.

However, O’Keefe sparked a collapse of 3-2 in the space of six deliveries – with the help of some Steve Smith brilliance - to leave the batting side reeling in the Colombo heat.

Standing at first slip, Smith anticipated Gunarathna’s sweep shot to run around and take the catch in a fashion not dissimilar to his memorable grab in the UAE nearly two years ago.

The left-armer – with two Tests currently to his name – struck again four balls later and from there, it was more-or-less a procession of batsmen exchanging awkward glances on their way to and from the pavilion with O’Keefe delivering most of the damage.

O'Keefe stars as Australia dismiss SL XI for 229

A half chance off his own bowling went begging, but any pain was soon eased with the return catch of Chathuranga Silva on the very next ball.

Smith added to his fielding highlights reel with a diving catch to dismiss Dasun Shanaka, before the NSW Blues duo combined for the third time to end the innings with a session to play on the opening day.

The 31-year-old’s sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket came at an opportune time as National Selector Rod Marsh – who recently arrived in the country – and Darren Lehmann weigh up the prospect of playing two spinners when the series opener begins in Kandy on July 26.

Australia’s batsman were able to spend some valuable time at the crease in the evening session, with Burns and Shaun Marsh compiling 97 for the opening stand.

Marsh sent the ball racing to the boundary on nine occasions with a series of perfectly placed cut shots and well-timed cover drives, but he was brought undone by the spin of Shehan Jayasuriya to be bowled for 47.

After missing out on a lengthy stint with the bat during last week’s warm-up match, Burns will take plenty of confidence out of his unbeaten 64 going into the first Test.

Burns launches a massive six down the ground and we might need a key to the grandstand to get that ball back #SLTour pic.twitter.com/2N8UyaNJLb — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 18, 2016

Burns’ tireless work practicing against spinners was on display for the small crowd gathered at P Sara Stadium, highlighted by a powerful blow down the ground resulting in a new ball being called upon.

Burns and Khawaja (11) will resume the innings on Tuesday morning with Australia trailing by 102 runs.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and highlights from the tour match right here on cricket.com.au and follow @CricketAus for regular updates from P Sara Stadium