Australia started the day on 14 runs without losing a wicket. Opener David Warner (09) played the ball outside the off side of Broad in the seventh over of the day. Labushen (00) caught Bairstow on the next ball. Khawaja and world number two Test batsman Steve Smith (16) kept the hosts’ bowlers at bay for more than an hour. Stokes, however, gave Australia a third blow by LBWing Smith on the last ball of his second over. Smith took DRS but the decision went in favor of the hosts and he had to return to the pavilion.
Australia made a strong comeback in the second session
In the first session, Australia were in a dilemma after losing the wicket of world number one Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne (00) in the first ball and then number two batsman Steve Smith (16). At tea, Khawaja was playing on 84 while at the other end, all-rounder Cameron Green was supporting him by scoring 21 runs. Both have added 40 runs for the fifth wicket. After losing three wickets in the morning session, Australia did better in the second session. Khawaja and Travis Head (50) added 81 runs for the fourth wicket.
Head played some attractive shots at Moeen Ali but the England off-spinner eventually had him caught at midwicket by Jack Crawley. Green was also lucky in the same over when wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow failed to stump him off Moeen’s bowling. Khawaja and world number three batsman Head scored quickly. The two came together at 67 for three.
Usman Khawaja hit a century
Pakistan-origin Australian opener Usman Khawaja showed a brilliant batting performance on the second day of the match. Khawaja batted so amazingly that he scored a century. He remained unbeaten till the end of the day. Usman has so far played a tremendous inning of 126 runs facing 279 balls. He has hit 14 fours and 2 sixes in this innings so far. By the end of the day, Australia have scored 311 runs at the loss of 5 wickets. The Kangaroos are currently 82 runs behind in the game. Khawaja is currently supported by Alex Carey on the pitch. Who is unbeaten on 52 runs.