NEW DELHI: In an Ashes Check match that stored followers on the sting of their seats from the primary ball to the nerve-jangling climax, Australia opener Usman Khawaja stood out as a beacon of composure amidst the chaos. His contribution performed a significant function in Australia’s two-wicket victory over England at Edgbaston.
Khawaja, identified for his conventional strategy, showcased the enduring worth of old style virtues within the trendy recreation.With an impressive century within the first innings and a affected person knock within the second, the Pakistan-born batsman demonstrated his class and resilience.
“Aussie skipper Pat Cummins grabbed the headlines with a masterful 44 not out… however with out deserved man-of-the-match Khawaja, Australia would have been bounced out by England’s ‘Bazball‘,” cricket consultants reported.
The 36-year-old performed a pivotal function all through the Check match, spending an astonishing 796 minutes on the crease, dealing with 518 deliveries, and barely providing any probabilities to the opposition. His composed presence offered a stark distinction to the mayhem unfolding round him.
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Cummins the hero as Australia edge England in Ashes thriller
Present Captions
<p>Australia captain Pat Cummins led his facet to a dramatic two-wicket win over England within the first Check at Edgbaston on Tuesday.<br /></p>
<p>The Ashes holders have been 209/7, nonetheless 72 runs shy of a victory goal of 281, when quick bowler Cummins got here in to bat after first-innings century-maker Usman Khawaja fell for a painstaking 65.</p>
<p>And after Alex Carey was out to depart Australia 227/8, the vacationers nonetheless required one other 54 extra runs with Nathan Lyon the brand new batsman.<br /></p>
<p>However Cummins-Lyon’s unbroken stand of 55 noticed Australia dwelling in a match to rival the stress of England’s two-run win in a celebrated 2005 Ashes conflict at Edgbaston.<br /></p>
<p>Cummins, who completed on 44 not out, hit the successful boundary when he edged Ollie Robinson to 3rd man the place a diving Harry Brook knocked the ball over the rope.<br /></p>
<p>Lyon, whose missed run out contributed to England’s gorgeous one-wicket win at Headingley within the drawn 2019 Ashes collection in England, was 16 not out.<br /></p>
<p>Victory left World Check champions Australia 1-Zero up within the five-match collection as they bid for a primary Ashes marketing campaign win in England in 22 years.<br /></p>
<p>This was simply England’s third defeat in 14 Assessments underneath captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.<br /></p>
<p>England have been left to rue a collection of missed probabilities all through the match, none extra so than when Lyon was dropped on simply two by Stokes at sq. leg.<br /></p>
<p>After Tuesday’s morning session was washed out by rain, Australia resumed on 107/three with veteran seamer Broad having eliminated Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith late on Monday’s fourth day.<br /></p>
<p>However Khawaja was nonetheless there on 34 not out because the 36-year-old opener turned solely the second Australian, after Kim Hughes at Lord’s in 1980, to bat on all 5 days of a Check.<br /></p>
<p>Australia reached tea at 183/5, however have been rapidly diminished to 192/6 when Robinson had all-rounder Cameron Inexperienced (28) chopping on to finish a stand of 49 with Khawaja.<br /></p>
<p>Stokes struck when he had Khawaja, who made 141 in Australia’s first innings, chopping on to finish a 197-ball keep.<br /></p>
<p>Cummins, nonetheless, reignited Australia’s pursuit by launching Root for 2 straight sixes earlier than ending the job himself.<br /></p>
Cummins, appreciating Khawaja’s contribution, mentioned, “He confirmed unimaginable composure in each innings… He has been a category participant… I am actually joyful for him.”
Khawaja’s poise and diligence proved to be a major consider Australia’s triumph. Talking about his strategy, he mentioned, “Whenever you’re enjoying and also you’re in, you are positive… This has positively received to be one among my favorite Check matches I’ve ever performed in.”
Regardless of England’s aggressive techniques and suffocating bowling, Australia remained calm and resolute, finally securing a vital victory. Cummins remarked, “Each groups spoke quite a bit about enjoying your personal fashion… Two contrasting kinds, enjoying to our strengths, and that made for nice leisure.”
The thrilling climax of the match noticed chants of ‘boring boring Aussies’ from the group as Australia’s chase stalled quickly. Nonetheless, their unwavering dedication and talent to grab alternatives propelled them to victory.
The primary Ashes Check match served as a testomony to the enduring worth of composure and ability within the face of unpredictable cricket dynamics. Because the collection progresses, Usman Khawaja’s composed presence on the crease will proceed to be a priceless asset for Australia, inspiring his teammates and charming followers worldwide.
(With inputs from Reuters)
