Usman Khawaja was the shining light for Australia in their response to England’s first-innings total of 393 runs in the ongoing 2023 first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The visitors struggled to get going and lost wickets at regular intervals.
But it was Usman Khawaja who held the fort and brought Australia back into the game. The left-hander was unfazed by the wickets falling at the other end and played a patient big shot that made English bowlers think differently.
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Not once does it look like Usman Khawaja struggled as he worked his way to the magnificent century, his first in England. The Australian opener batted for 321 balls and finished with a score of 141 runs. His strike brought his team closer to England’s total.
Also read: Ashes 2023: “Great ball, poor follow-up” – Twitter slams Ollie Robinson for giving a “F*** Off” sendoff to Centurion Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja was back in the shack after a brilliant yorker from Ollie Robinson overtook him and sent him somersaulting. But what caught the attention of many was Joe Root’s gesture after that. The former English captain ran up to him and congratulated him on his arrival by patting him on the back.
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Here is the video:
— No-No-Crix (@Hanji_CricDekho) June 18, 2023
Also read: Ashes 2023: Usman Khawaja opens up about his celebration of the century and plays in England
Ashes 2023: Australia huddle for 386 runs in their first innings
Apart from Usman Khawaja, other Australian batsmen look scratchy on the pitch and lose their wickets at regular intervals. Travis Head managed to hit a half-century alongside Alex Carey, who scored 66 runs.
Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad each contributed three wickets while Moeen Ali picked two wickets along with James Anderson and Ben Stokes who bagged a wicket each as England doubled Australia’s innings by 386 runs, taking a lead of 7 careers.
Also read: Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad Terms Day 2 Pitch at Edgbaston as ‘slow and characterless’
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