Khawaja steers calm course on Ashes rollercoaster

Usman Khawaja of Australia poses with the Player of the Match medal after Australia defeat England throughout Day Five of the Ashes 1st Test match.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

An Ashes Test match that remained unpredictable from the primary ball on Friday to Tuesday’s nerve-jangling climax had one fixed – Australia opener Usman Khawaja.

While England’s merry band of mercurial entertainers, captained by the risk-taking Ben Stokes, ripped up the Test match textbook, Khawaja confirmed that old school values nonetheless have a spot within the courageous new world.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins grabbed the headlines with a masterful 44 not out in a 55-run match-winning partnership with Nathan Lyon because the guests reached their 281 victory goal with two wickets to spare.

But with out deserved man-of-the-match Khawaja, Australia would have been bounced out by England’s ‘Bazball’.

RELATED | Ashes 1st Test: Cummins, Lyon pull off epic Edgbaston redemption for Australia

The Pakistan-born 36-year-old had by no means scored a century in England earlier than, however struck a powerful 141 within the first innings to maintain his aspect within the recreation.

He then chipped in with a painstaking 65 within the second innings, which was removed from pleasing on the attention however gave Australia a platform for his or her late assault.

Incredibly he batted on all 5 days of a rollercoaster match, going through 518 deliveries and spending an astonishing 796 minutes on the crease, barely providing up an opportunity.

Khawaja’s poise and diligence was a throwback to the outdated days when occupation of the crease meant all the pieces and supplied an interesting distinction to the mayhem round him.

“He showed incredible composure in both innings. He didn’t get caught up in anything. He has been a class player the last few years and I’m really happy for him,” Cummins mentioned of Khawaja.

“The plan was everyone to bat at their own pace. Having had a good first innings he had a good feel for the wicket but everyone chipped in.”

Chants of ‘boring boring Aussies’ rang round Edgbaston on Tuesday as Australia’s chase stalled utterly within the face of some suffocating England bowling and area positions.

ALSO READ | The Ashes: England’s gamble on Moeen Ali may need backfired with finger problem for spinner

Australia’s report of chasing down 200-plus targets has been lamentable over the previous decade and after they slumped to 227-8 chasing 281 for victory it appeared as if England’s ultra-aggressive techniques could be vindicated.

But Australia caught to their weapons, by no means panicked, rode their luck at instances, and in the end made certain they’ll head to Lord’s forward within the five-match collection.

“Both teams spoke a lot about playing your own style. And that’s the beauty of this series,” Cummins mentioned.

“Two contrasting styles, playing to our strengths and that made for great entertainment.”

So calm and composed all through the 5 days, even Khawaja mentioned he misplaced his nerve watching from the balcony after being bowled for 65 by Ben Stokes on Tuesday.

“When you’re playing and you’re in, you’re fine but when you’re watching up there — I can only imagine how the fans felt,” Khawaja mentioned of the thrilling climax.

“This has definitely got to be one of my favourite Test matches I’ve ever played in.

“I couldn’t really watch it with the guys, there was too much nervous energy out the front so I watched it in the changing room with delayed vision.”