3rd Ashes Test: Usman Khawaja's dramatic return steadies Australia after early blows

Usman Khawaja marked a remarkable Ashes return with a composed unbeaten 41 as Australia reached 94 for 2 at lunch on the opening day of the third Test against England at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rushed into the XI minutes before the toss as a late replacement for Steve Smith, Khawaja walked out under pressure after Australia lost two wickets in six deliveries. The veteran opener, who had missed the second Test with a back injury and was initially omitted from the side, made the most of a reprieve on 5 when Harry Brook spilled a chest-high chance at second slip. Khawaja capitalised in style, striking six boundaries and guiding Australia through a testing phase alongside Marnus Labuschagne, who was 19 not out at the interval. Their unbroken third-wicket stand of 61 brought calm after a shaky start.

Australia’s innings had begun steadily, with new openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald adding 33 without loss against erratic bowling. The momentum shifted quickly when Jofra Archer unleashed a sharp short ball at nearly 148 kph to cramp Weatherald (18), who top-edged to the keeper.

Brydon Carse

then struck first ball of the next over as Head (10) reached for a drive and Zak Crawley produced a superb low catch at short cover.Khawaja, facing Josh Tongue on his Test debut outside England, survived the early examination and then flourished after the drop, adding 36 runs post-reprieve as Australia collected 44 in the seven overs before lunch.

The match began amid solemn scenes. Players wore black armbands, flags flew at half-mast and a moment’s silence was observed to honour victims of a deadly antisemitic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. A pre-match ceremony featured the Indigenous “Welcome to Country,” the national anthems and a rendition of “True Blue” by John Williamson.Australia lead the five-Test series 2-0 and are eyeing a decisive advantage in Adelaide.