Usman Khawaja's Defiant Comeback: Silencing the Critics

Usman Khawaja proved his critics wrong by scoring a strong half-century in the third Ashes test against England. Overlooked initially, he replaced Steve Smith and stabilized Australia's innings against early setbacks, partnering with Alex Carey for a solid stand before his dismissal on 82.

In a stunning display of resilience, Usman Khawaja silenced critics by delivering a crucial half-century for Australia on day one of the third Ashes test against England. Initially left out by selectors, Khawaja stepped in for Steve Smith, who missed the match due to vertigo.

Despite an early setback, where Khawaja was nearly caught on three runs, he went on to anchor the innings, reaching a significant milestone a day before his 39th birthday. His steadfast performance saw him score 82 runs off 126 balls, forming a necessary 91-run partnership with Alex Carey.

Khawaja's innings ended with a catch at deep square leg, but his efforts helped Australia recover from a precarious position. As the team ended the session at 194 for five, Khawaja received a deserved ovation, highlighting his pivotal role in stabilizing the line-up.

(With inputs from agencies.)