Usman Khawaja starred with the bat for Australia on Day 4 of the fourth Ashes 2021-22 Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday (January 8).
The southpaw came out to bat when Australia were in a spot of bother at 68/3, having secured a massive first-innings lead of 122 runs. However, Khawaja’s onslaught put the hosts in a commanding position as he slammed a stroke-filled century.
Khawaja attacked the England bowlers from the outset and notched up his ton in 131 balls. He stayed unbeaten on 101, hitting 10 fours and 2 sixes, as Australia declared their second innings on 265/6 to set a target of 388 for the visitors.
Notably, Usman Khawaja also smashed a century (137) in Australia’s first innings at SCG to help the home team post 416/8 (declared) on the board.
Khawaja was included in this Test match after Travis Head tested positive for COVID-19 and the left-hander grabbed the opportunity with both hands, hitting twin tons to put Australia on the brink of victory.
It was Khawaja’s first outing in the longest format since the 2019 Ashes tour of England and he now has 10 tons to his name from 46 Tests.
For his scintillating batting display, Usman Khawaja received rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
Here are the reactions:
Chasing the target, England were on 30/0 at the close of play on Day 4 with Haseeb Hameed (8*) and Zak Crawley (22*) unbeaten in the middle.
