Usman Khawaja slams hundred as Australia reach 311/5 at stumps

On Saturday Opener Usman Khawaja scored a stunning hundred to revive Australia’s Ashes fortune in the opening match against England. Khawaja’s first century in England guided Australia to 311 for 5 at stumps on day two at Edgbaston. Khawaja’s classical inning was the highlight of the second day’s play in Birmingham. He stitched three valuable partnerships to leave Australia just 82 runs behind hosts England in the first innings. At the stumps, Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 126, alongside wicketkeeper Carey (52*).

Australia got a shock as soon as the second day’s play started as Australia lost two wickets in a row. In the sixth over of day 2, Stuart Broad removed Warner and  Marnus Labuchange. It was the 15th time that Broad had dismissed Warner. Now, all eyes are on inform batter Steven Smith but he also got out as lbw by skipper Ben Stokes. 

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Now, England were in a strong position after Ben Stokes took the key wicket of Steve Smith. Australia was struggling on 78/3 after the morning session. But, Khawaja stood firm and recovered Australia by adding 81 runs for the fourth wicket with Travis Head. Travis Head scored 50 runs before being trapped by Moin Ali. Cameron Green added 72-run with Khawaja for the fifth wicket after Bairstow missed the stumping chance. 

Yet England failed to take another wicket, Khawaja and Alex Carey added an unbroken 91 for the sixth wicket. Earlier, both Khawaja and Carey enjoyed a reprieve in the last session. Khawaja was clean bowled by Broad on 112, but the third umpire saw that Broad had overstepped. Carey got a life on 26 as Bairstow missed a chance off Joe Root. For England, Moin Ali and Stuart Broad scalped 2 wickets each while Ben Stokes took the key wicket of Steven Smith.

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Australia have now consolidated their position on Day 2. They will be eager to establish control on Day 3 which is considered the moving day of a Test match. England need some quick wickets to extract back some control in this match. Then, let’s see what happens on the day 3 game.

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