Khawaja century
Usman Khawaja's 137, here celebrating his century, was a highlight of day 2 of the Sydney Ashes Test, the fourth of the 2021-22 Ashes cricket series.
Australia have already won the 5-Test series 3-0 (so far), largely due to their focus and great bowling despite little Test match preparation. England, sadly, have only their captain firing in the batting and while injuries played a part, their priorities and selections stabbed them in the feet from the beginning. Meanwhile, Australia's fill-ins, given the opportunity, have all come good.
Khawaja hadn't played a Test since 2019 but kept hammering at the selectors' door with good scores in the state-based Sheffield Shield competition. He was rewarded with a run here after Travis Head entered COVID isolation. He capitalised on being dropped by England captain Root in the slips while in his '20's.
Speaking of Root, he missed a trick when Australia was 6-285 leading up to the tea break. Bowling himself, Malan and Leach released the pressure at a time when he should have been trying to get Australia out for 300. He brought Broad back after tea, but by then Australia was comfortably placed. They declared after a Lyon six took them to 8-416. England did have a small success, not losing a wicket before stumps were called.
The main distraction of the day was, after a PM tweet, Novak Djokovic being told his visa didn't allow for 'medical exemption' for the Australian Tennis Open due to start in a couple of weeks. That means he'll be deported and won't play, although his lawyers are contesting it. It seems people thought no-one would question his being here despite his high-profile stance as a vaccination refusenik. Few seem to have sympathy for Djokovic, a nine-time Open winner (except most of Serbia I suppose).
Khawaja century
Usman Khawaja's 137, here celebrating his century, was a highlight of day 2 of the Sydney Ashes Test, the fourth of the 2021-22 Ashes cricket series.
Australia have already won the 5-Test series 3-0 (so far), largely due to their focus and great bowling despite little Test match preparation. England, sadly, have only their captain firing in the batting and while injuries played a part, their priorities and selections stabbed them in the feet from the beginning. Meanwhile, Australia's fill-ins, given the opportunity, have all come good.
Khawaja hadn't played a Test since 2019 but kept hammering at the selectors' door with good scores in the state-based Sheffield Shield competition. He was rewarded with a run here after Travis Head entered COVID isolation. He capitalised on being dropped by England captain Root in the slips while in his '20's.
Speaking of Root, he missed a trick when Australia was 6-285 leading up to the tea break. Bowling himself, Malan and Leach released the pressure at a time when he should have been trying to get Australia out for 300. He brought Broad back after tea, but by then Australia was comfortably placed. They declared after a Lyon six took them to 8-416. England did have a small success, not losing a wicket before stumps were called.
The main distraction of the day was, after a PM tweet, Novak Djokovic being told his visa didn't allow for 'medical exemption' for the Australian Tennis Open due to start in a couple of weeks. That means he'll be deported and won't play, although his lawyers are contesting it. It seems people thought no-one would question his being here despite his high-profile stance as a vaccination refusenik. Few seem to have sympathy for Djokovic, a nine-time Open winner (except most of Serbia I suppose).