Usman Khawaja has asserted himself as king of the SCG with one other century to assist Australia tighten its maintain on South Africa within the remaining Take a look at of the collection.
Virtually a yr in the past to the day, Khawaja’s two-and-a-half yr absence from Take a look at cricket got here to an finish within the Ashes on the SCG, and he celebrated in model by twice knocking his method into triple figures.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Usman Khawaja scores his third consecutive SCG ton.
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The 36-year-old opener has picked up the place he left off within the third Take a look at in opposition to South Africa, citing his ton within the first session on day two.
He turned solely the fourth man, and second Australian, to attain centuries in three consecutive Take a look at innings on the SCG, after Wally Hammond, Doug Walters and VVS Laxman.
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Talking moments after passing the milestone, Khawaja couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
“There are a variety of particular emotions right here, I’ve talked about it one million occasions, I grew up simply up the street, my mother and father and household are right here watching and clearly my new household with Rachel (spouse) and my two youngsters are right here , so it is only a very good feeling,” he mentioned.
“I’ve obtained buddies out right here within the crowd, so it is at all times an honor to attain runs right here.”
The SCG pitch has lengthy been maligned for its docile nature and tendency to supply attracts, as within the Ashes final summer time, however Khawaja mentioned he thinks it ought to have sufficient in it to create a superb contest.
“I reckon if we hold getting good climate it’s going to positively break up and first innings runs will probably be essential, it could possibly be a pleasant little contest and enjoyable little sport coming within the fourth and fifth day,” he mentioned.
The 36-year-old has even been training his dance strikes of late, a celebration he confirmed off to an excited crowd on the SCG after citing three figures.
“I do not want no observe, it is all pure,” Khawaja mentioned.
“I am simply bringing a little bit of coloration to Take a look at cricket.”
Khawaja has the best common of any man who has performed greater than 5 Assessments on the SCG, and was 10th total, with 115.00 on the time he introduced up his century.
He has posted the equal-second most centuries of any man on the SCG (4), trailing solely Ricky Ponting, who managed six.
Proper-arm spinner Simon Harmer gave the left-hander loads to consider as he turned the ball with ease on day one.
However neither Harmer nor in-form paceman Anrich Nortje might take away him as David Warner (10) and Marnus Labuschagne (79) fell on a rain-affected day one.
With extra rain forecast, Australia wanted to regroup on day two and profit from their time within the center earlier than the wicket deteriorated any additional.
The pitch is anticipated to assist spinners the longer the match goes on, however the tweakers posed Khawaja few issues on day two.
He belted Keshav Maharaj over deep additional cowl for the primary six of the Take a look at in a spotlight of his innings.
– With 7NEWS.
