Usman Khawaja returned to trouble England with a stylish century on Thursday after plundering another big Ashes century after four years as Australia took a strong hold of the fourth Test in Sydney.
Pakistan-born Khawaja, playing his first Test since the 2019 Ashes series in England in place of Covid-isolated Travis Head, scored 137 off 260 balls to put Australia in charge after declaring 416 for eight.
Nathan Lyon smacked Stuart Broad six overs over mid-wicket to prompt captain Pat Cummins to end the innings and gave Australia’s pace attack seven overs on the tired Englishman, who worked 134 overs on the field Was. At the time of the announcement, Mitchell Starc was dismissed for 34 not out.
With two from Haseeb Hameed and two by Zak Crowley not out, England drew close to 13 for no loss.
– Crowley Reprive –
Crowley was largely relieved before scoring a goal when he was caught by David Warner for over-stepping a no-ball to Starc at slips.
Khawaja, who was dropped for 28 by Root, missed most of them and was eventually dismissed late giving Broad his fifth wicket.
Khawaja looked set to get there in the end, but an inside edge of Broad hitting his stumps ended his powerful innings and he left the ground to a rousing reception.
His ninth Test century came four years after scoring 171 against England at the same Sydney Cricket Ground, but it may not be enough to retain his spot for the final Hobart Test later this month, as the Brisbane Centurion head expected to be available for selection.
The elegant 35-year-old left-hander looked into the groove with his shot selection, denying the tourists after Broad scored a double success after lunch.
Read also: Patient Usman Khawaja scores a century on Pamel’s return to England
Khawaja completed his century in the pre-tea over when he dismissed spinner Jack Leach for three runs behind deep backward square.
Khawaja was let off for 28 before lunch when Root missed a good chance at slip from the leach and then paid the tourists dearly.
Khawaja’s patient innings stabilized the Australian first innings after Broad dismissed Steve Smith and Cameron Green with double success.
Broad struck twice off the second new ball, dismissing Smith for 67 and young all-rounder Green for five.
In his 13th Test, Broad dismissed Smith for the ninth time in the Ashes after dismissing ‘bunny’ David Warner on the first day, falling behind on this occasion.
– Tentative Green –
Smith was angry with himself as he left the wicket as he looked in good shape to score his 28th Test century, 12th in the Ashes and fourth at the SCG.
During his innings, Smith became Australia’s seventh-highest run-scorer, surpassing current team coach Justin Langer’s 7,696 runs. He has now scored 7,734 runs at 60.89.
Broad followed with the wicket of a provisional Green, who went ahead and got a thick lead off Jacques Crowley at third slip.
Broad took the wicket of Cummins for 24 and Khawaja ended the day with 5-101 runs in 29 overs.
In another blow for England, star all-rounder Ben Stokes caught his 14th over with his left side after a short-pitched delivery to Smith and immediately walked off the field for a treat.
He later returned to the field but could not bowl.
In the absence of Stokes, Root was forced to bowl his off-spin, taking the wicket of Alex Carey for 13 runs.
The Ashes have already gone to England to give Australia a 3-0 lead with two Tests to spare, after going down by an innings and 14 runs within three days in the third Test in Melbourne.
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