Ashes 2023 Test 1 Day 2: Usman Khawaja unbeaten century leads Australia fightback.

 

Usman Khawaja maiden Test century has kept Australia alive on the 2^nd day of 1^st Test match played at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 17 June 2023.

Starting on the overnight score of 14 for 0, David Warner was dismissed for the 15^th time by Stuart Broad taking inside edge onto the stumps while Marnus Labuschagne could not open his account with a lovely one-handed catch by Jonny Bairstow to leave Australia in trouble at 29 for 2. Usman Khawaja showed intent to keep the scoreboard ticking and keeping pressure on the England bowlers.

Ben Stokes introduced himself and got rid of Steve Smith with a lovely delivery to leave Australia in some trouble right before the lunch break. Smith and Khawaja added 38 runs for the 3^rd wicket. Australia ended first session at 68 for 3.

Travis Head came to the crease and showed intent right from word go putting pressure on England bowlers. Khawaja completed half-century off 106 deliveries. Both Head and Khawaja kept the scoreboard ticking against Moeen Ali. After reaching his half-century, Head was dismissed trying to take on Moeen. Head and Khawaja added 81 runs for the 4^th wicket. Khawaja looked in great touch showing his class.

Cameron Green and Khawaja continued to play with intent, not allowing the England bowlers to settle with boundaries at regular intervals. At the end of second session, Australia made 188 for 4.

The third session saw Jonny Bairstow miss a stumping chance to get rid of Green. Moeen Ali eventually produced beauty to dismiss Cameron Green. Green and Khawaja added 72 runs for the 5^th wicket.

Alex Carey came to the crease and looked positive with attacking strokes. Bairstow missed two chances getting rid of Carey. Khawaja made the batting look easy and completed his maiden Test century on England soil off 199 deliveries. Carey and Khawaja kept the scoreboard ticking frustrating the England bowlers.

England captain Stokes took the second new ball as Broad dismissed Khawaja, but the bowler overstepped resulting in a no-ball. Carey looked assured with half-century off 69 deliveries. Khawaja and Carey ensured that Australia end the 2^nd day on 311 for 5.

Australia 311 for 5 in 94 overs (Khawaja 126*, Carey 52*, Stuart Broad 2/49) trail England 393 for 8 d in 78 overs ( Joe Root 118*, Crawley 61, Nathan Lyon 4/149) by 82 runs.

 

 

 

Usman Khawaja century leads Australia fightback on 2nd day of 1st Ashes Test 2023.