Ashes 2023Usman Khawaja hundred keeps England at bay in Edgbaston Test

By Sabyasachi ChowdhuryAfter England made a surprise declaration on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test, it remained to be seen how the Australian batters perform at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. At Stumps on the second day, it can be said that the visitors have their noses slightly ahead.

Pat Cummins’ Australia are trailing by 82 runs with five wickets left in their first innings. Usman Khawaja was their star performer after he stayed not out on 126 runs off 277 balls with the help of 14 fours and two sixes. Alex Carey and Travis Head also scored fifties to lend him support.

Broad makes early inroads

England made a stupendous start to proceedings on Day 2 after Stuart Broad dismissed David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne off consecutive deliveries. Broad was also on the verge of becoming the first bowler to pick up three hat-tricks in Test cricket before he bowled one wide down the leg side.

Steve Smith and Khawaja tried to restore sanity to proceedings with a partnership of 38 runs. But Ben Stokes dismissed Smith LBW four overs before lunch. Smith scored 16 runs before departing.

With Australia’s score at 67 for the loss of three wickets in 27 overs, England seemed to be in the driver’s seat. However, things started taking a turn from there.

Khawaja, Head, Carey step up

Khawaja and Travis Head put on 81 runs for the fourth wicket before Moeen Ali dismissed the latter. It also happened to be Moeen’s first Test wicket in 650 days. Head scored 50 runs off 63 balls with eight fours and a six before holing out to Zak Crawley at deep mid-wicket.

After Head departed, Khawaja stitched together a partnership of 72 runs for the fifth wicket. Green scored 38 off 68 balls after which he became Moeen’s second victim.

Khawaja, in the meantime, got to his hundred and also completed 1000 Test runs against England. The southpaw is now three runs short of completing 13000 runs in first-class cricket. The left-handed batter got a massive reprieve when Broad bowled him off a no-ball in the final session.

Carey also played his part by being not out on 52 off 80 with seven fours and a six. Carey and Khawaja have put on an unbeaten partnership of 91 runs for the sixth wicket. Australia finished the day at 311 for five in 94 overs.