The Ashes: Usman Khawaja’s hundred helps Australia dominate England on Day 2 of 4th Test on the SCG

After shedding three wickets on a soggy Day 1, the Australian cricket crew seemed in full management to finally publish a compelling complete of 416 runs within the first innings in opposition to an out-of-sorts England assault within the 4th Test on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The second day’s play noticed the hosts driving on some good batting shows from Usman Khawaja (137) and Steve Smith (67) who stitched a vital 115-run partnership for the fourth wicket. But their resistance was finally delivered to an finish by the returning Stuart Broad who despatched Smith packing after Lunch.Ashes 4th Test, Australia vs England: Day 2 – As it occurredThe England bowlers, who seemed flat within the first session, bowled with venom afterward as Broad struck once more, this time, getting the higher of Cameron Green (5) simply overs after Smith’s dismissal. Though the guests did fancy their possibilities, they met with strong resistance from Khawaja who seemed like a person on a mission.The Queensland captain, who has been amongst runs in Sheffield Shield since being dropped in 2019, notched up his ninth Test hundred to steer Australia’s cost on the SCG. The 35-year-old, batting on 28, did survive a scare when Joe Root dropped him at first slip. But, since then, there was no turning again for the Oz batsman.Get in Ussy!! Usman Khawaja brings up his century. Looking comfy. Welcome again to the Australian Test crew! Been ready for this. Love the celebration!?? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/2I4Ek2UlIj— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) January 6, 2022
The left-hander’s hardwork and willpower finally paid off when he whipped the ball previous sq. leg to take three runs off Jack Leach and introduced up his hundred proper earlier than tea on Day 2. Reaching a well-hundred hundred, Khawaja leapt within the air earlier than acknowledging his household after which hugging captain Pat Cummins on the different finish.Get in Ussy!! Usman Khawaja brings up his century. Looking comfy. Welcome again to the Australian Test crew! Been ready for this. Love the celebration!?? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/2I4Ek2UlIj— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) January 6, 2022
Even as wickets saved tumbling on the different finish, Khawaja, who was roped into the Australian line-up after Travis Head examined constructive for Covid-19, remained persistent on the different finish. His good knock lastly got here to an finish after Broad rattled the stumps with a crafty leg-cutter. And, with 20 minutes left within the remaining session, Cummins declared the innings because the hosts determined to have a go on the England openers.For England, Broad as soon as once more reminded everybody why he’s such a vital addition to the England aspect. The right-arm seamer, who notched up a five-for, was the one silver lining on a day that noticed England’s bowling assault blowing cold and hot.In response to the hosts’ sizeable complete, England rested their hopes on Haseeb Hamid and Jack Crawley to get off to a gradual begin by surviving the menacing couple of minutes of the ultimate session of Day 2.But, within the 4th over, Mitchell Starc obtained the SCG on its toes after getting Crawley caught by David Warner within the slips just for the cameras to focus on he had over-stepped. In what would have been England’s first duck of the brand new 12 months, Crawley would certainly have been relieved to see the replay and resume his innings.With over 400 runs on the board, Australia look in charge of the 4th Test as they search a whitewash in opposition to struggling England. For the guests, at the moment positioned at 13/0 at stumps on Day 2, the primary few hours on the third day may show essential in the event that they handle to carry onto the wickets.