Srinagar: Cricket fraternity has hailed Australia opener Usman Khawaja for the fighting century on the second day of The Ashes Test vs England at Edgbaston.

After Australia suffered two early setbacks , Usman Khawaja formed a 38-run stand with Steve Smith before the former captain was dismissed LBW by England captain Ben Stokes in the 27th over.

Then Khawaja added 61 runs with Travis Head for the fourth wicket and both batters made half-centuries before Moeen Ali removed Travis Head. Then, Khawaja continued and added 72 runs with Cameron Green for the fifth wicket.

Green was removed by Moeen Ali for 38 off 68 deliveries.

But Usman Khawaja continued and completed his 15th Test century in 199 balls smashing 12 boundaries and two sixes. It was also his fourth against England, with the other three coming in Australia.

From Tom Moody to Kamran Akmal everyone had hailed Khawaja’s inning. Moody, Akmal, Mel Jones, Michael Vaughan, Damien Fleming, WV Raman, Lisa Sthalekar were amoung few who hailed Khawaja.

Khawaja’s brilliant 126* was his 15th career century but his first in Tests in England, and his effort helped Australia finish the day on 311/5, trailing by 82 with five wickets remaining.

Khawaja’s record since returning in the Sydney Test against the same opponents back in January of 2022 has been phenomenal.

The left-hander has hit tons in India and Pakistan in that time, as well as reaching triple figures at home against South Africa and England. But his record in English conditions had been poor prior to this outstanding knock in Birmingham.

Khawaja has now scored 1747 runs in the 31 innings since his return to the Australian fold, averaging an extraordinary 69.88 in that time.