Ashes 2023: It was just a bit more emotional than normal – Usman Khawaja on his century

Australian opener Usman Khawaja admitted it was more emotional than normal when he scored his first century on English soil. Khawaja scored an unbeaten knock of 126 runs in the first innings of the second day’s play of the ongoing first Ashes Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Saturday.

After England decided to declare at 393-8 on the opening day, Khawaja was the pick of the Australian batters on the second day’s play. The left-hander continued his rich vein of form as he timed the ball to perfection.

The southpaw showed all the patience and completed his 15th Test century to help Australia stay in the contest. In fact, Khawaja also had the rub of the green on his side as he was clean-bowled by Stuart Broad when he was on 112 at the fag end of the second day’s play but the lanky England pacer overstepped the crease.

Khawaja was also dropped from the last three Ashes series and he was delighted to score the all-important hundred.

After the end of second day’s play, Khawaja said in the post-match press conference, “I think it was a culmination of three Ashes tours to England and being dropped on two of them. I don’t read the media but when I’m getting sprayed in the nets (by England fans) and getting sprayed when I’m walking out there that I can’t bat in England, I guess it was just a bit more emotional than normal.”

Meanwhile, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith were dismissed cheaply in the first session on Day 2 to leave Australia in tatters at 67-3. However, Khawaja added 81 runs with Travis Head, who continued his good form to score a fifty. Furthermore, the Australian opener added a fine alliance of 72 runs with Cameron Green.

Subsequently, Khawaja added 118 runs with Alex Carey, as the Australian wicket-keeper scored a decent knock of 66 runs before he was dismissed by James Anderson on the third day’s play.

At the time of writing, Khawaja is still batting unbeaten on 138 runs, and Australia trails by only 34 runs.