Ashes 2023: Usman Khawaja Brings Up His First Century In England

Australia kept on losing the wicket but still Khawaja batted well and stitched a crucial 81-run partnership with Travis Head for the fourth wicket.

Usman Khawaja in action.

Source : Getty

Australia’s explosive opener Usman Khawaja amassed his first Test hundred in England and led the battle on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

After England declared at 393 for 8 on Day 1, Khwaja and Warner started the proceedings and were 14 for no loss but then Broad came in and he cleaned up Warner and followed it up by scalping the wicket of world number one Test batter Marnus Labuschagne, leaving Australia reeling at 29/2. Khawaja on the other hand held the fort and built a 38-run stand with Steve Smith before the former Aussie skipper walked back to the pavilion by  Ben Stokes in the 27th over.

Australia kept on losing the wicket but still Khawaja batted well and stitched a crucial 81-run partnership with Travis Head for the fourth wicket with both batters reaching their half-centuries before Moeen Ali snared Head in the 46th over. The 36-year-old left-hander kept on playing with England bowlers, smashing them all around the park with ease. He again formed a 72-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ashes debutant Cameron Green, putting Australia in a commanding position on Day 2.

Diet Cokes all round!

Well batted, @Uz_Khawaja #Ashes pic.twitter.com/UVKJATCsBz

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 17, 2023

Usman Khawaja’s done it!

A break through century in England, his 15th Test ton! #Ashes

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 17, 2023

Moments after Green’s wicket, Usman made his maiden century on English soil by hitting Stokes for a boundary in the 69th over. He took 199 balls to reach the three-figure mark. This was Khawaja’s 15th Test hundred and his fourth against England. Earlier, England’s speedster Stuart Broad picked the wicket of David Warner for the record 15th time.  It was good length delivery by the 36-year-old bowler and the southpaw wanted to drive it but then the ball was cut back and came into his stumps through an inside edge.