Usman Khawaja Shines in Ashes Test Despite Australia’s Wickets Tumble

Khawaja's Impressive Return

Usman Khawaja made a notable comeback in the Ashes series, scoring a solid fifty that helped Australia reach 194/5 at tea during the third Test against England in Adelaide on Wednesday. Unfortunately, he fell short of a century as Australia lost three wickets in the second session. The pitch appeared to be quite favorable for batting, giving the visitors a slight edge after Khawaja's dismissal.

Archer's Impactful Spell

Jofra Archer delivered a stunning performance post-lunch, quickly dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (19) and Cameron Green (0) in just three balls, leaving Australia at 94/4. Khawaja, who was unbeaten on 41 at lunch, observed as the team struggled to maintain their footing.

Labuschagne fell early, hitting a weak cross-bat shot that was caught by Brydon Carse at mid-wicket. Archer's third wicket came when Carse executed a remarkable diving catch to dismiss Green, who was out for a duck.

Khawaja and Carey Steady the Ship

Following the quick wickets, Khawaja and Alex Carey managed to stabilize the innings, capitalizing on England's mistakes. Despite England captain Ben Stokes introducing Will Jacks to the attack, Khawaja's aggressive play led to his dismissal before he could reach a century.

Khawaja scored an impressive 82 runs off 126 balls, while Josh Inglis joined Carey at the crease. The pair contributed significantly, adding 91 runs for the fifth wicket before Jacks dismissed Khawaja.

Morning Session Overview

Earlier in the day, Khawaja and Labuschagne formed a strong partnership, helping Australia recover from a shaky start to reach 94/2 at lunch. They combined for 61 runs off 90 balls for the third wicket, showcasing their ability to settle in and build a solid innings.

Pre-Match Update: Smith's Absence

Before the match commenced, Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat. However, the team faced a significant setback with the news that star player Steve Smith would miss the match due to illness. Smith had been unwell leading up to the Test and was officially ruled out on match day, prompting Khawaja's inclusion as his replacement.

Current Score Summary

Current score: Australia 194/5 (Usman Khawaja 82, Alex Carey 48*; Jofra Archer 3/19) against England.