In a rain-affected day at Lord’s on Friday, opener Usman Khawaja‘s splendid form continued as he anchored Australia’s innings and formed crucial partnerships with David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, taking Australia’s lead beyond 200 runs in the second Ashes Test against England.
At the close of play on Day 3, Australia stood strong at 130/2, with Khawaja unbeaten on a solid 58 and Steve Smith at the crease on 6*. Notably, the final session began with Australia at 81/1, with Khawaja (45*ꦐ) and Labuschagne (8*) providing a steady foundation.
Australia reached the 100-run mark in the 35th over, with Khawaja unleashing a powerful shot off Stuart Broad to the fence, simultaneously bringing up his 23rd Test fifty in 105 deliveries. This marked Khawaja’s second half-century of the series, in addition to a century.
Khawaja’s partnership with Labuschagne proved vital as they propelled Australia’s lead past the 200-run mark. However, James Anderson made a breakthrough, dismissing Labuschagne for 30 off 51 balls. At that point, Australia’s score stood at 123/2, after Harry Brook took a comfortable catch at backward point, ending the 60-run partnership.
Unfortunately, rain intervened, forcing a delay in play. The interruption occurred with Australia at 130/2, with Khawaja and Steve Smith standing unbeaten. As the match heads into the fourth day, Australia will look to build on their lead and further solidify their position a🦩gainst a resilient English side.
Brief score: Australia 416 and 130/2 (Usman Khawaja 58*) lead England 325 (Ben Duckett 98, Harry Brook 50, Mitchell Starc 3/88, Travis Head 2/17, Josh Hazlewood 2/🅠71) by 221 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Hundred in 1st innings in 1st Test.
Fifty in 2nd innings in 1st Test.
Fifty in 2nd innings in 2nd Test.Usman Khawaja i🦄s having a dream summer in England, he is dominating Ashes.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
An early stumps at Lord's on Day 3 due to rain.
Australia in a comfortable position with the l🌄ead of 221, Khawaja and Smith to resume from Day 4.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
188/1 with Nathan🌱 Lyon’s series over, for England to then go onto bat like they did is unforgivable. I’m praying for a 5-0 but it was just pathetic. How can you throw away an ashes series for this ego driven slog fest.
— 115tanbul 🏆 (@CTID66)
Such was the stupid display with the bat for Eng, we totally forgot Australia are playing with 10 men . is fun but Eng more keen on trying to out proof everything logical rather than applying common sense . almost g🍌one
— addicted (@addicted_7)
Usman Khawaja has by far the highest batting average in test history of anyone at opener who has opened inꦜ more than 20 innings
— David Oliver (@mancunianmedic)
Ashes Day 3 at Stumped Update :-
Australia🍰 finished on day 3 at Lords Test is 130/2.Usman Khawaja not Out on 58*(123) run.
Now Australia lead by 221 runs.— Surinder (@navsurani)
Usman Khawaja stretches Australia's advantage before rain ends play early
— Hassan Ahmad (@_hassanahmad_)
I've resigned myself to the being gone. I'm now mentally preparing myself for the next major England disappointment at … 😬
— Andy Durrant (@andydurrant75)
This series is so disappointing so far, seems like England have just thrown it away𒁃 through lack of application when betting.
— Bernie (@netmnp)
Dreadful display by today, but it started yesterday when Nathan Lyon went off injured. This seems to involve not thinking about the ma𒆙tch situation.
— Eddie Maylor (@Eddie_21001)
It was moving day at Lords and the Aussies certainly seized the moment with some good ol’ fashioned Test cricket. Starc brilliant as we went on the attack 1st session before Khawaja did what he does best. In the box seat – time to drive home the advantage on Day 4 🤞🇦🇺
— brad davidson (@braddavo)
among the top six batters (excluding Ben Foakes, who has his own way of batting). And because he (Stokes) bats at No.5, once the Bazballing fails & they lose wkts in a heap, he has to do the rebuilding work. He's lost his form a bit doing that. Ironic!
— Ani (@anirudhani_)
Weird yet predic🌠table the amount of people coming for ꦦBazball after one and a half tests
Some outstandingly bad takes, eve🤪ry single one ignoring the fact Australia are the best team in the world
Hope England stay true🐠 to their beliefs & p🅷rove the critics wrong
— Bob (@In_Ludo_Veritas)
Pretty Sure This Set Up is Unbeatable .
Captain Cummins is going to Make history 🏆 .— Anurag (@anurag_17_)
