Smith's record-breaking run ends

Australia's defeat in the first Test against Sri Lanka not only ramped up the pressure on the tourists ahead of the second Test this week, it also cost captain Steve Smith a shot at history.

The loss in Kandy was Smith's first in 12 matches as Australia's Test skipper, snapping an unbeaten run since his captaincy debut that made him statistically his country's most successful rookie skipper.

Australia's victory over New Zealand in Wellington earlier this year, which secured their return to the top of the ICC's Test rankings, was Smith's 11th match in a row without defeat from his captaincy debut in December 2014, breaking the previous Australian mark held by the great Warwick Armstrong of 10 consecutive unbeaten Tests between 1920 and 1921.

Armstrong's mark was particularly impressive as he also recorded eight consecutive victories from debut, the second-most of any first-time captain, including the 5-0 defeat of England in the summer of 1920-21, one of only three Ashes whitewashes in history.

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Sri Lanka's victory meant Smith also fell well short of Ray Illingworth's all-time record of 19 matches without defeat from his debut as England captain, set between 1969 and 1971.

The New South Welshman's ascension to the top job in Australian cricket came – for the first time – rather unexpectedly in the summer of 2014-15.

Michael Clarke was injured, ruled out for the series against India, and with three Tests still to play, someone had to fill the void.

Clarke's deputy, Brad Haddin, was considered the likely stop-gap measure, but withdrew from the race, suggesting instead that Australia look to the future; Clarke's injury-plagued body wouldn't last forever, and Haddin was too old to play much, if at all, beyond his regular skipper.

As a consequence, Smith's name emerged.

This boyish one-time leg-spinner who had only been a regular fixture in the side for little more than 12 months, but whose form in that time had finally confirmed what plenty had long believed – the kid had serious talent.

Smith was 25, an age considered by traditional measures much too young to be Australia's Test captain, and all that the title encompasses. But whether it was foresight, bravery, or simply a lack of suitable alternatives, Australia's selectors went for the youngster.

Three Tests later, with two victories, a draw and three more Smith centuries in the can, they knew they had their man for the long-term.

The Ashes defeat that followed, and Clarke's form slump and retirement, brought the long-term plan into sharp focus, and true to form, Smith – now 27 – continued to deliver, maturing and learning on the job.

And after a near perfect start to his captaincy career, Smith's faces another major challenge in Galle this week as he seeks to drag his wounded side back into what has already been an enthralling series.

Most consecutive wins from captaincy debut