June 24, 2023
King of the Ashes Test
By Syed Rifaqat Ali
Australia's victory over England at Edgbaston in the first ongoing Ashes Test has prompted Sydney Morning Herald to crown Usman Khawaja, who was Man of the Match, as 'King' and made millions of Kangroos proud.
Khawaja scored a brilliant century (141) in the first innings when the Aussies were 78 for 3 at lunch and in deep trouble, chasing England's huge total of 393 for 8 on the first day.
Khwaja's century as a opener laid the foundation for England to pile up 386 despite the exit of star batsmen, Warner, Labuschange and Steve Smith early in the inning. It was not a wise decision on the part of Ben Stokes to declare at 393 for 8 on the opening day and he paid a heavy price for it.
No skippper in the world will take such a bizarre decision which may put the team in a dock. Stokes may be repenting now, but it is too late. His decision may coax the English selectors to rethink about his leadership qualities.
In the second essay, England were restricted to 273 all out to set a target of 281 for England. The match hung in balance on the fourth day and at stumps Australia were reeling at 3 for 28, losing Warner, Labuschange and Smith and the match turned in England's favour.
But it was Khwaja once again coming to the rescue of Australia with a painstaking half century to put the Kangroos on course. Eventually, skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon played with grit and determination to stitch half century partnership to see Australia home.
It was the most defiant partnership of all time in Ashes history. Khwaja's knocks in both the innings were no flash in the pan.
This year, he has notched up centuries in Australia, India and England. The 36 -year-old Queenslander has a unique record of scoring three consecutive centuries at the famous home ground: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Southpaw Khwaja is the only Australian batsman to average 69 in Test as an opener. Till date, Khawaja has scored fifteen centuries in Test: England (4), India (1), New Zealand (3), Pakistan (3), South Africa (2), Sri Lanka (1) and West Indies (1). His highest score in Test is 195 against South Africa.
The second Ashes Test is billed at Lord's, starting on June 28 in the five-match series.
England will have to pull up their socks to match the most formidable Australian team ever in order to keep alive the interest of the fans who have been totally disappointed by their performance in the opener.
In place of Moeen Ali, Adil Rasheed, the wily leg spin-googly bowler will be a better choice, if better sense prevails upon the selectors and skipper Ben Stokes.
S. Rifaquat Ali is JoA correspondent in Sydney
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Published since July 2008 |
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