Australia’s deficit fell to 82 after Khawaja’s unbeaten run of 126 revived Australia’s fortunes
Posted Date – Sun, 18 Jun 23 at 12:50pm
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Birmingham: Australia scored his first Test century in England 311-5 on Saturday’s second day of Ashes at Edgbaston, with opener Usman Khawaja running happily and throwing the ball Rod held high.
Australia’s deficit fell to 82 runs after Khawaja revived their fortunes with a 126-match unbeaten run. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey gave great support, with 52 not out and a cooperative value of 91.
Khawaja and Carey are in for a strong game on Sunday, with showers expected to give Australia a clear advantage for the first time in the game, while England’s fast wickets will expose the long tail.
The Australians will enjoy the day more than the English. The visitors looked to be in trouble after the morning’s top-ranked Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne was knocked out for the Golden Duck and second-ranked Steve Smith for 16 runs.
Khawaja’s 15th Test 100 helped to turn things around. He anchored the innings with style and occasional aggression, hitting 14 fours and two sixes.
Three wickets in the morning and Australia dug in after lunch. Khawaja paired Travis Head with 81 runs.
Hyde preyed on Mohn Ali in particular, although the England spinner had the final say by ending a dangerous partnership.
Khawaja and Head, the third-ranked Test batsman, sprayed the ball over, center and over the England fielders, giving the hosts a taste of their own Bazball medicine.
The duo took Australia to 148 in a 67-3 run, improving the run rate by about a run, mostly at Alli’s expense until the 50-year-old Hyde lobbed in too often against spinners. Pushing forward so that he couldn’t pass the ball to Zach Crowley for the wicket.
In his home game, Ali finished the day with a 2-124 record on 29 turnovers — including six hits by Khawaja five times, twice. But he went into the game knowing that England captain Ben Stokes was happy to back a bowler who was always attacking, even if he was expensive.
Alli deserved a wicket two from all-rounder Cameron Green after dismissing Hyde, but Jonny Bairstow was an excellent test for the keeper batsmen. Ali ended up getting Green with a 38, and his pitch spun quickly.
Australia went into lunch 78-3 after David Warner self-destructed and England seaman Stuart Broad dismissed Labuschagne from the next ball in a better fit bowler.
Stokes glossed over any lingering injury concerns and went 1-33 on seven turnovers. Just when Australia appeared to be recovering, he trapped Smith’s leg just before lunch. But Khawaja saved the day.
