Usman Khawaja became the fourth Australian player to hit a century in both innings of an Ashes Test but England has started well in their chase of 387.
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For two years, Usman Khawaja was not selected in the Australian cricket team. But, when he was included, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Usman Khawaja became the fourth Australian to hit centuries in both innings of an Ashes Test. Combined with his 179-run stand with Cameron Green, Australia declared at 265/6, giving England a target of 387. By the close, England had moved to 30/0, a great start by a long way in this tour so far.
England was already boosted by Jonny Bairstow’s century and Ben Stokes’ attacking knock on day 3. After a disastrous opening session on day 3, Bairstow and Stokes stitched a 128-run stand that revived England. Bairstow then shared an entertaining partnership with Mark Wood worth 72.
At the start of day 4, Australia got the early breakthrough when they sent back Jack Leach cheaply in the second over. Bairstow struggled for rhythm, possibly suffering from a hand injury. The effects showed as he tamely edged Scott Boland for 113. When Stuart Broad departed for 15, Australia had taken a 122-run lead.
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The injury woes for England were confirmed when Jonny Bairstow did not take the field. With Jos Buttler also out due to a hand injury, Ollie Pope was handed the wicketkeeping duties. Craig Overton was also there as a substitute. Mark Wood bowled with tremendous pace to dismiss David Warner cheaply. Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne then looked to build a steady partnership. However, England struck back.
Marcus Harris fell before lunch and Labuschagne followed suit immediately after the break. Steve Smith chased quick runs and took the lead past 200. But, when he fell to Jack Leach for 29, Australia was in a spot of bother at 86/4. Khawaja then stepped up along with Cameron Green.
Both batsmen took their time to get their eye in. Once they did, they latched onto Mark Wood’s bowling and dispatched him for a couple of boundaries. Green grew in confidence and hammered two boundaries off James Anderson. Khawaja notched up his fifty with two fours off Stuart Broad. The partnership seemed to have taken the game away from England.
Khawaja notched up the 100-run stand when he slog-swept Leach for a six over deep midwicket. Green also hit his 2nd fifty as the runs kept coming. But, Khawaja entered the 90s with another slog sweep of Joe Root. The left-hander then notched up his century with a pull off Dawid Malan to join an elite list of players to hit two centuries in a single Ashes Test.
Australia’s lead reached 386 when Cameron Green fell for 74. Pat Cummins declared and gave England 15 overs to survive in the last hour. Haseeb Hameed survived a torrid spell from Cummins and Mitchell Starc as Australia searched for the early breakthrough.
Hameed was steady at one end but Zak Crawley delighted the fans with some crisp drives. With the light deteriorating, the umpires called the players off. Crawley and Hameed had ensured that England have a solid platform for a repeat of the Headingley miracle in 2019. But, Australia will be equally determined to ensure they do not suffer the same fate.
