Australian opener Usman Khawaja ranked the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham as one of his favorite Test matches he has been part of. Khawaja ended on the right side of the result as Australia won the thrilling contest against England by two wickets on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in five-match series.
Australia looked down and out when they needed 54 runs to win on the final day with only two wickets in hand. However, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon scored unbeaten knocks of 44 and 16 respectively to get their team through and Australia was able to draw first blood.
Khawaja admitted it was tough to watch from the dressing room as the match went down to the wire. Meanwhile, the left-hander played a huge role in Australia’s historic win. He scored a majestic knock of 141 runs in the first innings, which was the first century in English conditions, and then played another crucial knock of 65 runs in the second essay when Australia was chasing 281 runs.
The southpaw also occupied the crease for a long time as he faced a total of 518 balls to frustrate England bowlers. Khawaja was awarded Player of the Match for his fine knocks in both innings.
Usman Khawaja said in the post-match presentation while speaking to the official broadcasters, “So heart-wrenching. When you’re playing you’re fine. Hard to watch. Definitely one of my favourite Test matches. I couldn’t watch it with the guys. Was too much nervous energy there.”
He added, “Was watching in the change room on the delayed feed. Personally for me, even now, I’ve never felt like this. The ebb and flow of the whole game. It was no one’s Test match until it was won. Last Test series was pretty tough work for the batters in general unless you were Steve Smith.”
It was a perfect start for Australia and they will be looking to carry the good show in the remaining Test matches. Khawaja played brilliantly and the Australian batters batted around him, especially in the first innings. The left-hander showed all the patience and reaped rewards for the same.
The second Ashes Test will be played at Lord’s, from June 28 onwards.
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