Ashes 2021-22, Sydney Test: Khawaja's glorious century takes Australia to the top; netizens laud his comeback

By Team Newsable | First Published Jan 6, 2022, 2:11 PM IST

Australia has again piled pressure on England on Day 2 of the Sydney 2021-22 Ashes Test. Usman Khawaja scored a gritty century to keep the hosts on top. Consequently, netizens were filled with joy.

It has again been a dominant show by Australia. On Day 2 of the fourth Ashes 2021-22 Test at the Syndey Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday, the hosts managed to score 416/8. Usman Khawaja heavily aided the innings by playing a gritty knock of 137. With Australia on the top, netizens have lauded his remarkable comeback.

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Khawaja came in the fifth spot when Australia was 117/3. Also, when at 28, he was dropped by English skipper Joe Root in the slips. Thereon, he intended on making the most of the opportunity. As a result, he slammed his ninth Test ton, hitting 13 boundaries and was knocked over by pacer Stuart Broad at 398.

ALSO READ: Ashes 2021-22 - Talking points from Sydney Test - Fans left frustrated with rain-marred Day 1

Usman Khawaja hits a terrific hundred on his return in Test cricket at SCG where he made his Test debut 11 years back. Expect Australia to give him a consistent run. Can open as well. Will be key in the Tests played in the subcontinent

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)

Match summary
Winning the toss, Australian skipper Pat Cummins surprisingly opted to bat in overcast conditions. However, the decision seemingly turned out to be fair, with Australia posting a respectable total of 416/8, thanks to Khawaja's 137. Also, Steven Smith played a healthy knock of 69 to aid Australia's cause.

35y 19d - Usman Khawaja (35y 19d) has become the third oldest player to score a century batting at No.5 in a men's Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground; only Steve Waugh (37y 214d v Eng in Jan 2003 & 35y 214d v WI in Jan 2001 respectively) has been older. Hundred. pic.twitter.com/0hL8O1zpOU

— OptaJason (@OptaJason)

As for the English bowlers, pacer Stuart Broad was the star of the lot, claiming a fifer. However, pacer Ben Stokes was unable to bowl for a side strain. As England came out to bat, it was off to a slow but steady start, with Zak Crawley surviving a dismissal, thanks to seamer Mitchell Starc overstepping. While England trails by 403, it would be an uphill task, while rain could be its only saviour.
Brief scores: AUS 416/8 (Smith- 67, Khawaja- 137; Broad- 5/101) leads ENG 13/0 (Crawley- 2; Cummins- 0/1) by 403 runs.

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