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Khawaja stands tall as Australia stretch lead past 200
On a day dominated by the bowlers, with helpful conditions throughout, Usman Khawaja’s unbeaten half-century stood out as Australia stretched their lead to 221 before rain forced an early close on Friday (June 30). Having bowled England out for 325 to gain a 91-run lead, Australia kept the home team pacers at an arm’s length for more than 45 overs, thanks mainly to Khawaja’s 58 not out, as they ended the rain-hit Day 3 at 130/2.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad were a bit wayward with their lines at the start of the third session, with boundaries coming via extras as well as off the bat. Khawaja helped himself to a four off a full-toss from Broad, bringing up his fifty in the process. Labuschagne played his shots but wasn’t in full control when executing a few of them, and was even lucky when England decided not to review a leg-before shout off Broad – replays revealing it would have crashed onto the stumps. But he couldn’t capitalise as he hit a short ball straight to point to depart for 30, ending a stand worth 60.
Steve Smith had a jittery start as he edged an Anderson delivery for a boundary, was beaten outside off and also missed a flick off Broad. Taking a cue from the Australian bowlers, England too tried the short ball multiple times and even had Khawaja and Smith in uncomfortable positions. It got quite dark into the session and rain arrived, forcing the players off the field. The umpires later decided to call off the day’s play with 25-plus overs still remaining to be played.
Earlier, England lost six wickets for the addition of only 47 runs on an overcast morning as they were bowled out for 325. Ben Stokes fell in the opening over as he got a leading edge to Cameron Green at wide gully off Mitchell Starc. Harry Brook, who got to fifty, was troubled by short deliveries from the Australian pacers and eventually fell to one from Starc. Jonny Bairstow showed better application but his attempt to go over the top off Josh Hazlewood brought about his downfall. With Travis Head bagging a couple of wickets and Cummins pocketing one, England’s innings came to an early close as Australia picked up a 91-run lead. Khawaja and Warner then survived a challenging six-over period before Lunch.
With the cloud cover still helping the bowlers, Australia’s openers endured further challenge from the England pacers after Lunch. Warner survived a leg-before shout by Anderson and England ended up losing a review. Khawaja was finding the boundaries but a couple of them were streaky, and he scored most of the runs with Warner being cautious at the other end. Ollie Pope, meanwhile, landed awkwardly again while fielding and was off the field. It wasn’t a fluent innings from Warner who, after contributing only 17 in a 63-run opening stand, was out lbw to Josh Tongue. Labuschagne got a lbw decision overturned in Tongue’s next over and was unbeaten at Tea along with Khawaja, who collected two successive fours off Broad.
Brief scores:
Australia 416 & 130/2 (Usman Khawaja 58*; Josh Tongue 1-21) lead England 325 (Ben Duckett 98, Harry Brook 50; Mitchell Starc 3-88, Travis Head 2-17) by 221 runs.