Opener Usman Khawaja hit his seventh Test century since being recalled by Australia to lead a solid effort on day two of the first Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston.
Khawaja’s brilliant unbeaten 126, his 15th career century but his first in Tests in England, and his vital partnerships with Travis Head (50) and Alex Carey (52 not out) helped Australia finish the day on 311/5, trailing by 82 with five wickets remaining.
Khawaja’s record since returning in the Sydney Test against the same opponents back in January of 2022 has been phenomenal.
The left-hander has hit tons in India and Pakistan in that time, as well as reaching triple figures at home against South Africa and England. But his record in English conditions had been poor before this outstanding knock in Birmingham.
Khawaja has now scored 1747 runs in the 31 innings since his return to the Australian fold, averaging an extraordinary 69.88 in that time.
And an emotional reaction from Khawaja upon reaching his landmark spoke to how significant this moment is for the 36-year-old.
Australia had resumed on 14/0 after England declared on the first day – the second time England have made such an unusual move in 2023 under Ben Stokes’ captaincy. And a slow opening half hour was soon blown up by a Stuart Broad double strike.
A wafted drive with limited footwork from David Warner saw him inside edge the ball onto his stumps, and Labuschagne fell victim to Broad’s recently-honed outswinger the very next ball, with Jonny Bairstow holding on to a good catch.
An attempted leg-side trap to Steve Smith on the hat-trick ball didn’t pay off, and Smith and Khawaja steadily ate through the morning session with a partnership of 38 across 16.4 overs before Stokes had the key man trapped lbw for a 59-ball 16.
Australia went in at lunch 78/3, still 315 runs behind, with England having used seven bowlers in the first session – including experimental single-over spells from part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root.
