Usman Khawaja Triumphs in England
Australian opener Usman Khawaja achieved a milestone in England with his first century in the country, helping to steady the visitors who were in a precarious position at 67/3. This was Khawaja’s fourth Ashes century, but his first outside of Sydney.
A Stellar Performance
The 36-year-old has been in top form for the Aussies in the last 12 months, equaling England’s Joe Root with seven centuries since the start of 2022. Khawaja has an impressive record in Tests at home, yet had struggled in England, with an average of 19.66 and only one half-century in 12 innings.
A Difficult Start
The Aussies faced a difficult start when Stuart Broad dismissed both David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne in consecutive balls, followed by Ben Stokes getting rid of Steve Smith. Despite the losses, Khawaja remained composed and formed a significant 81-run partnership with Matthew Wade.
Conclusion
Usman Khawaja’s century in the first Test of the Ashes series between England and Australia has been a landmark achievement for the batsman, who had struggled in the country in the past. Khawaja’s steady performance helped the Aussies to overcome a difficult start and remain competitive in the match.