SYDNEY, Jan 6: Usman Khawaja’s comeback century lifted Australia to an imposing 416-8 declared before England’s openers survived a nervous five overs to be 13 without loss at the end of the second day of the fourth Ashes test.
Playing his first test since 2019 and only in the team because of Travis Head’s positive test for COVID-19, Khawaja made the most of the opportunity on Thursday. He first shared a century partnership with Steve Smith, who made 67, and anchored Australia’s innings with his 137 from 260 balls as England’s bowlers fought back with the second new ball.
Stuart Broad took 5-101, including the wickets of Steve Smith and Khawaja. It was the 19th five-wicket haul of his career and went a long way to vindicating his return to the team after being omitted from the third test at Melbourne that saw Australia humiliate England and retain the Ashes.
At stumps, Haseeb Hameed and Zak Crawley were both on 2 not out, with the latter surviving being caught off a no-ball from Mitchell Starc as the tourists ended the day 403 runs behind Australia on the first innings.
Earlier, Khawaja completed his ninth test century from 201 balls with 11 boundaries in the final over before tea in front of his former home state crowd. He celebrated by holding both arms aloft, raising and pointing his bat toward his team and family members in the historic Members Stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground before embracing his skipper mid-pitch.
Khawaja, who also passed 3,000 test runs in this innings, was eventually bowled by Broad after close to seven hours at the crease.
Australia has an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and has retained the Ashes. (AP)
