Sports Desk:

Australian batting great Steve Smith begins a tour of Sri Lanka just one short of entering the elite club of 10,000 Test runs ahead of Wednesday’s opening match in Galle.

Smith, who will captain the team for the two-match series in the absence of Pat Cummins, has amassed 9,999 runs in 114 games at an average of more than 55.

The 35-year old is all but assured of becoming the 15th batsman in the world – and fourth Australian after Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh – to achieve the milestone.

Smith said the landmark would not be on his mind when he walks out at the picturesque Galle stadium overlooking the Indian Ocean.

“Honestly, I’m trying not to think about it too much,” he told reporters Tuesday.

Smith suggested it had played on his mind “a bit too much” during Australia’s fifth and final Test against India in Sydney this month, where his 33 and four left him agonizingly short.

“Now it’s just about focusing on the job at hand,” he said.

Travis Head will open the batting in place of 19-year old Sam Konstas on a pitch that is expected to favor spinners and at a venue where Sri Lanka have won 27 of the 46 Tests played.

“Travis will bat at the top, but we’ll finalize the XI after another look at the pitch in the morning,” Smith said.

“The wicket has changed a bit, so we’ll weigh our options.”

Australia, who have already set up a World Test Championship final with South Africa at Lord’s in June, will be looking to stamp their authority as the No 1 Test team.

Smith was coy on whether wicket-keeper Josh Inglis, 29, was in line for his Test debut.

“He has solid defence, plays spin well, and scores all around the wicket,” Smith said.

“If he gets his chance, I’m confident he’ll grab it with both hands.”