Ashes 2023 2nd Test: Usman Khawaja keeps Australia on top against England in third day’s play

Opening batsman Usman Khawaja continued his impressive form and stitched valuable partnerships with David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne to take Australia’s lead past 200 at the end of the rain-affected third day of the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s on Friday. .

At the end of the third day, Australia were 130/2 with Khawaja (58*) and Steve Smith (6*) through. Australia started the final session at 81/1, with Usman Khawaja (45*) and Marnus Labuschagne (8*) unbeaten at the crease. Khawaja and Labuschagne continued to build their partnership, frustrating the hosts and the Barmy Army.

Australia reached 100 runs in 35.3 overs. Khawaja also brought up his 23rd Test half-century in 105 balls, beating Stuart Broad. Apart from this century, it was also his second half-century in the series.

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Labushen and Khawaja took Australia’s lead beyond 200 runs. James Anderson got his first wicket by sending Labushen back for 30 runs in 51 balls. Australia’s score at that time was 123/2. Harry Brook took a simple catch at backward point to end the 60-run partnership.

After a brief delay in action due to rain, Australia were 130/2 with Khawaja and Steve Smith unbeaten. The season ended without any further play. Earlier, with the help of a half-century partnership between Warner and Khawaja, Australia crossed their 150-run lead at the end of the second session on the third day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Friday.

At the end of the second session, Australia were 81/1, with Khawaja (45*) and Labushen (8*) unbeaten. He has taken a lead of 172 runs. Warner and Khawaja got Australia off to a flying start as the visitors were 50/0 in the 21st over.

In the 24th over, Josh Tongue got the hosts a breakthrough and sent Warner back for 25 for 75. The southpaw’s brief inning saw two hits over the fence.

With Australia 63/1 at that stage, the hosts felt there was a chance to put pressure on the hosts and take more wickets. However, the visitors managed to end the second session without losing any more wickets, despite several close shouts for wickets leg before and a catch-back.

Earlier, excellent bowling from the Australian fast bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc’s 3/88, damaged England’s chances of surpassing the visitors’ score. Losing wickets regularly, England fell from a dominant position and trailed the visitors by more than 100 runs at the end of the first session on Friday.

Australia were 12/0 at the end of the first session, with Usman Khawaja (6*) and David Warner (5*) unbeaten, England started the first session on the third day with Harry Brook (45*) 278/4 But did and Captain Ben Stokes (17*).

The hosts did not start well and lost their captain for 17 runs in the second ball of the day. Cameron Green caught him in the gully and gave Starc his second wicket. At that time England’s score was 279/5.

Jonny Bairstow was at the crease and he made his intentions clear by hitting a four. Harry Brook also brought up his fourth Test half-century in 63 balls. Starc once again struck hard for Australia. This time he dismissed Brook for 50 runs in 68 balls. Captain Pat Cummins caught him at deep extra cover. At that time England’s score was 293/6. England cross 300 runs in 70.2 overs.

If England wanted a chance to take the lead, they needed Bairstow to survive. But he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood after scoring 16 runs in 36 balls. At that time England’s score was 311/7. In the lower order, Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad tried to reduce the deficit with some solid hitting. But they too could not last long and were dismissed for nine and 12 respectively by the part-time spin of Travis Head. The England team was bundled out for 325 runs in 76.2 overs.

England fell behind Australia by 91 runs. Starc was the best bowler for Australia, taking three wickets for 88 runs. Head (2/17) and Hazlewood (2/71) also led Australia to success in the opening session. Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Cameron Green took one wicket each. Australia came out to bat in their second innings.

The pair of Usman Khawaja and David Warner hit a four each to increase Australia’s lead to over 100 runs at the end of the first session.

Brief scores: England: 325 (Ben Duckett 98, Harry Brook 50, Mitchell Starc 3/88), Australia: 416 and 130/2 (Usman Khawaja 58*, Marnus Labuschagne 30, Josh Tong 1/21).