On a day of fluctuating fortunes, Usman Khawaja’s patient unbeaten 126 didn’t just help Australia resurrect their innings, but also put them in a position of strength in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. At stumps on the second day, Australia were 311 for 5, trailing by just 82. Cameron Green (38), Travis Head (50) and Alex Carey (52*) also played their parts with vital hands.
The day commenced with David Warner and Khawaja looking to navigate their way through a tricky opening spell from Stuart Broad. Broad used the wobble seam to good effect, and was eventually rewarded with the scalp of Warner for 9, as he inside-edged one on to the stumps. It was the 15th time that Broad had dismissed Warner in Test cricket. The very next ball, Broad got a hint of shape away from Marnus Labuschagne, who followed it and got the edge. Jonny Bairstow took a superb diving catch low to his right in front of first slip.
At that stage, Steve Smith and Khawaja put on a timely alliance of 38. Just when it seemed as though Smith was getting into his groove, he was dislodged by an inswinger from Ben Stokes. The ball also kept a tad low as it thudded into the top of the pad. Smith placed his belief in the review but to no avail. Head, Australia’s star performer in the World Test Championship final, then joined forces with Khawaja and played some cracking strokes to put some pressure back on England. Head, in particular, brought out the loft to take a heavy toll on Moeen Ali. Although he was troubled by some short deliveries from Ollie Robinson, Head soon reached his fifty off just 57 deliveries.
But England struck at a crucial time as Head clipped one to Harry Brook at midwicket off Moeen. At that moment, with Australia still 247 behind, England seemed to be in a position of strength. However, a string of missed chancess proved to be costly. Green, who was yet to open his account, jumped out of the crease while facing Moeen but was beaten by the turn. Bairstow, however, couldn’t collect the ball cleanly and missed out on the stumping chance.
Green soon grew in confidence as he essayed drives, flicks and lofts. Ultimately, Moeen found enough turn to sneak one through his defence. At 220 for 5, England had another window of opportunity to take control of the game. But once again, their fielding let them down. Just before the second new ball was taken, Bairstow put down a rather simple chance to give Carey a reprieve. Joe Root was the unlucky bowler. To make matters worse for England, when the second new ball was taken, Broad cleaned up Khawaja with the wobble-seam delivery, only for it to be ruled a no-ball as he had overstepped. Australia didn’t offer England another chance as Khawaja and Carey brought out the sweep, drive and pull to take Australia past 300.
Broad was clearly England’s best bowler, but he was left to rue that no-ball. Anderson, his pace colleague, looked slightly below-par, though he did keep the runs down. Robinson too had an off day. Moeen imparted some overspin, but struggled for control. On day three, England need to strike early. Otherwise, they could find themselves in trouble.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the day for Australia was Khawaja celebrating his first Test ton in England. As soon as Khawaja cracked the hundred, he roared in delight and also leapt in the air. In that moment, he even flung his bat skyward and then raised his bat towards the Australian dressing room.
Brief scores: England 393-8 decl. (Joe Root 118*; Nathan Lyon 4-149) lead Australia 311-5 (Usman Khawaja 126*; Stuart Broad 2-49) by 82 runs.