Khawaja closes on century as Australia struggle again at Edgbaston
M
oeen Ali took his first Test wicket in virtually two years as Usman Khawaja led an Australian counter-attack on the second afternoon at Edgbaston.
Moeen, summoned out of retirement to fill the void left by Jack Leach’s harm, was focused by Khawaja and Travis Head after lunch however Ben Stokes’s persistence ultimately paid dividends as Head was caught off the spinner moments after reaching a swift half-century.
On his house floor, Moeen must have had one other quickly after, just for Jonny Bairstow to overlook the possibility to stump Cameron Green on nought.
Australia had resumed after lunch on 78 for 3, following a morning that very a lot belonged to the house facet, however kicked on to 188 for 4 by tea, with Khawaja unbeaten on 84, already his highest Test rating in England.
Moeen Ali celebrates dismissing Travis Head
/ Getty ImagesEarlier, Stuart Broad had Edgbaston in raptures with two wickets in two balls, earlier than Stokes claimed the large scalp of Steve Smith as England made early inroads into Australia’s prime order.
Broad continued his dominance over David Warner by dismissing the opener for 9 of their first tussle of the sequence after which had Marnus Labuschagne, the world’s No1 ranked Test batter, brilliantly caught behind by Jonny Bairstow first ball.
Stokes, whose health to bowl had been a significant query coming into the sequence, then had Smith pinned lbw for 16 shortly earlier than lunch.
England had stunned the vacationers with an early declaration on the primary night, Stokes calling his facet in at 393-for-eight within the hope of creating an early breakthrough.
Stuart Broad sends Marnus Labuschagne packing
/ Getty ImagesKhawaja and Warner survived 4 overs to renew on Saturday morning on 14 with out loss, however had added solely 15 runs to the rating earlier than the latter inside-edged onto his personal stumps slashing at Broad’s extensive supply.
The Nottinghamshire seamer claimed Warner’s wicket for the fifteenth time in Tests, seven of these dismissals having are available in simply ten innings within the final Ashes performed in England 4 years in the past.
The drama constructed as Broad urged the Birmingham crowd for extra from the highest of his mark, his subsequent supply delayed by a policeman wandering throughout the sight display behind the bowler’s arm.
Ben Stokes celebrates after taking the wicket of Steve Smith
/ Action Images through ReutersSteve Smith takes a stroll
/ AFP through Getty ImagesWhen it got here, the bottom erupted, an outswinger discovering Labuschagne’s edge and simply carrying to a diving Bairstow for the primary golden duck of the Australian’s Test profession.
Broad launched the hat-trick ball down the leg facet with slips in place each side of the brand new batter, Smith, however Stokes continued to tinker together with his area and bowling choices all through the morning in full distinction with Pat Cummins’ conservative method on day one.
The England captain used seven bowlers earlier than lunch, together with, remarkably, the medium tempo of Harry Brook for an over at first-change,ultimately taking the ball himself.
Stokes had not bowled in any respect in the summertime’s first Test towards Ireland and just for two overs within the loss to New Zealand in Wellington earlier within the 12 months, having been stricken by a long-standing knee downside. In simply his second over right here, nevertheless, he trapped Smith, the main run-scorer within the 2019 sequence unsuccessful together with his evaluation.