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Khawaja, middle-order turn the tables on England
Usman Khawaja’s century, backed up by fifties from Travis Head and Alex Carey, has allowed Australia to stage a fightback on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test in Edgbaston, on Saturday. Khawaja, who stroked his maiden ton in England, went to stumps unbeaten on 124 – having batted through the day. He had the company of Carey, who was unbeaten on 52, and had added a 91-run stand before the end of the day’s play.
For much of the day though, England were on the front foot after Stuart Broad had struck twice in the seventh over of the morning. First, he dismissed David Warner (14th time in the Ashes) when the southpaw dragged a length delivery outside the off on to his stumps. And then, had Marnus Labuschagne caught behind with an outswinger.
England were on the offensive, with Ben Stokes being unconventional and proactive with his field changes. Steve Smith and Khawaja nullified the attack for an hour with a dour 38-run partnership before the former was trapped leg-before with a Stokes delivery that jagged back in – in what was only his second over of the innings. Smith took a review but to no avail. With three wickets down, for only 64 runs, England had owned the morning session and seized control of the contest.
However, after Tea, the momentum started to shift. The in-form Travis Head took charge of the counter-attack, of which Moeen Ali was largely at the receiving end. It had started out with Khawaja, who danced down the track and hit the offspinner for a six in only the third over of the post-lunch session. However, Khawaja was kept in control by England’s short-ball tactic, which had the opener in a bit of an uncomfortable space. Head, however, didn’t hold back on the cuts and the pulls.
He departed soon after bringing up his 14th Test fifty, chipping Moeen Ali’s flattish delivery to midwicket, handing the offspinner his maiden scalp on Test comeback. Moeen could’ve had another wicket to his name only two deliveries later when Cameron Green stepped out and attempted a big shot, only to be deceived by the turn. However, Jonny Bairstow missed a regulation stumping opportunity.
Green was subdued thereafter and helped Australia head to Tea without any further damage. His only attack came against Joe Root in the last over before Tea when he hit the part-timer for two boundaries through the offside. However, soon after the Tea break, Moeen eventually had his man – beating him in flight, with drift, dip and turn to knock over his stumps. Green, by then, had scored 38 runs and stitched a valuable 72-run partnership with Khawaja.
Nonetheless, that happened to be the only dismissal of the last session. England could’ve had another when Stuart Broad knocked over Khawaja’s stumps only two balls after the second new ball was taken. However, the third umpire noted that he had overstepped, offering Khawaja a life when he was batting on 112. The opener shut shop and went on to add only 12 runs thereafter in the last hour of play when Carey had taken the mantle of attacking the English bowlers.
The ‘keeper-batter was always on a lookout for scoring opportunities, hitting on the up, over the in-field and at times, even just short of fielders. He brought up his fifty with a lucky boundary after getting an outside edge for a boundary while looking to attack Moeen Ali, only to be deceived by the spinner.
England used seven bowling options on the day, but the bulk of the work was handed to Moeen, who got some assistance from the wicket but was also on the line of attack of the Australian batters. He picked two wickets in 29 overs, but ended up conceding 124 runs.
Brief scores:
England 393/8 decl. (Joe Root 112*, Jonny Bairstow 78, Zak Crawley 61; Nathan Lyon 4-149, Josh Hazlewood 2-61) lead Australia 311/5 (Usman Khawaja 124*, Alex Carey 52*, Travis Head 50; Stuart Broad 2-49, Moeen Ali 2-124) by 82 runs
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
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Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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