Australian star
Usman Khawaja made his Test return in grand style after smashing a tremendous century on Day 2 of the
ongoing fourth Ashes Test against England at Sydney Cricket Ground. Khawaja had a homecoming of his own as 11 years ago, in 2011, he had debuted at this very ground against the same opponent in the longest format.
Khawaja was given a lifeline on 28 when England skipper
Joe Root had put down his catch at first slip. However, the left-handed batter never looked back and reached three figures in the final over before tea when he whipped away to deep backward square for three off Jack Leach.
It was Khawaja’s ninth hundred in Test cricket, and he looked extremely happy, leaping with joy after, acknowledging his family in the crowd, then hugging skipper
Pat Cummins.
“He’s played like a man who knows his game. He’s missed out on some competitive cricket for a little while now, but this is a man who knows how to build an innings in Test cricket. He’s done it that many times before, he’s at a stadium he knows really well. He’s taken his time,” said
Isa Guha during commentary for
Fox Cricket.
Khawaja was cleaned up by
Stuart Broad in the 132nd over before Australia declared their first innings at 416/8. The Queenslander scored 137 off 260 deliveries, including 13 boundaries. Apart from Khawaha, vice-captain
Steve Smith (67),
Marcus Harris (38),
Mitchell Starc (34 no),
David Warner (30), and
Marnus Labuschagne (28) made valuable contributions to the team’s total.
For the tourists, Broad was the pick of the bowler, taking a brilliant five-wicket haul for 101 in 29 overs.
James Anderson (1/54),
Mark Wood (1/76) and Root (1/36) bagged one wicket apiece.
In response, England posted 13/0 in the five overs with their openers
Haseeb Hameed (2 no) and
Zak Crawley (2 no) at the crease.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Could not be anymore prouder of you brother. That was all class!!
@usman_khawajy @dscfearless
https://t.co/88h2icjpXr — David Warner (@davidwarner31)
January 6, 2022
You absolutely love to see it ??
@Uz_Khawaja pic.twitter.com/9pX7r54bLe — Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket)
January 6, 2022
Throughout the summer, as he’s piled on the runs in the
#SheffieldShield,
@Uz_Khawaja has said repeatedly that he’d stopped thinking about a Test return & was focusing purely on scoring runs for Queensland & he’s batted with the same lack of fuss here on his Test return
#Ashes — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
January 6, 2022
Our skipper,
@Uz_Khawaja! ???
pic.twitter.com/ZIic8sH1wI — Queensland Cricket (@qldcricket)
January 6, 2022
Letting his bat do the talking. Beyond proud of you
@Uz_Khawaja ?????
#ashes @7Cricket — Erin Holland (@erinvholland)
January 6, 2022
Couldn’t be happier for
@Uz_Khawaja ?? incredibly grounded approach to the game and a great human. What a way to make the most of an opportunity!
#Ashes #MaroonGrown — Jessica Jonassen (@JJonassen21)
January 6, 2022
What a fantastic 100 under pressure and getting another opportunity. Nothing beats a test match 100 at the
#scg in front of the family. Well done
@Uz_Khawaja a very classy knock on that deck #100
#cricket #scg #ashes https://t.co/4oMpuxV9Tl — Damien Martyn? (@damienmartyn)
January 6, 2022
What a great Comeback and superb century by
@Uz_Khawaja ????
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23)
January 6, 2022
King Khawajy ? ? ? Couldn’t happen to a better and more deserving bloke
pic.twitter.com/0BBGHTzaJE — Chris Green (@chrisgreen_93)
January 6, 2022
Oh how I love to see
@Uz_Khawaja raise his bat
@scg. Does it get any better than this?!!
#Ashes Has to be a regular in the side!!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93)
January 6, 2022
An outstanding Test ton
@Uz_Khawaja !! On a pitch that’s done plenty ..
#Ashes — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
January 6, 2022
Jan 6 2018 – Usman Khawaja hits a ton vs ENG
Jan 6 2022 – Usman Khawaja hits a ton vs ENG
#AUSvENG — Swamp (@sirswampthing)
January 6, 2022
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