USMAN MAKES HIMSELF AT HOME
Incredible Khawaja record bettered only by Bradman as SCG love affair continues with ton
THE annual New Year’s Test will be fondly remembered by Usman Khawaja when reflecting on his playing career.
It was at the SCG he made his Test debut as a baby-faced batting prodigy, becoming the first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia. A decade later, he scored twin centuries against England to reinvigorate his international career and cement his name in Ashes folklore.
On Thursday, another chapter in Khawaja’s SCG love affair was written, with the 36year-old scoring his 13th Test century in front his wife and two young children to equal Bill Lawry and Damien Martyn on the all-time tally.
He reached the milestone in 206 deliveries on day two of the New Year’s fixture against South Africa, marking his fourth Test century in the NSW capital.
Only the legendary Ricky Ponting has mustered more Test tons at the SCG.
He was unfazed by perpetual stoppages in Sydney, with players retreating to the sheds several times due to rain and bad light. Having to continually refocus after each delay is taxing.
Khawaja rarely attacked wide of the stumps, instead waiting for South Africa’s seamers to stray on to the pads, with the leg glance comfortably his most productive stroke. When spinners overpitched, he powerfully drove through gaps in the covers.
He passed triple figures with a pull shot off Kagiso Rabada, sprinting through for a risky double that could have been dangerous if the boundary rider’s throw had been more accurate.
Khawaja leapt in the air and saluted the Members’ Stand, throwing in a little dance for good measure.
He becomes the first Australian in history to score three Test centuries at a single venue after their 35th birthday. He currently averages 115 in Tests at the SCG – no Australian has scored more runs at a higher average at the venue.
Asked about what made the SCG so special to him, Khawaja said at lunch: “I grew up just up the road. My family is here watching and obviously my new family with Rachael and my two kids here.
“It’s just a very nice feeling. I’ve got friends in the crowd, it’s where I grew up. So it’s always an honour to score runs here.”
Khawaja’s purple patch kicked off 12 months ago when he pummelled 137 and 101 not out against England in
the New Year’s Ashes Test.
The left-hander had been initially picked as a one-match substitute after Travis Head tested positive to Covid-19 and missed the fourth Test due to quarantine obligations.
But Khawaja forced his way back into the Test side and has been Australia’s leading runscorer since, pummelling 1180 runs at 73.75 in 12 matches.
Only England’s Jonny Bairstow has scored more Test centuries during that period.
The Queenslander combined with Steve Smith for a century partnership for the third wicket to put Australia in a commanding position on day two.
Earlier on Thursday, Khawaja was announced the 2022 Alan McGilvray medallist for ABC Sport’s men’s Test cricketer of the year.
In a day of milestones, Smith passed a Don Bradman landmark to claim his 30th Test century.
The No.4 passed Bradman’s 29 Test hundreds with a majestic pull shot off Anrich Nortje to the boundary ropes to claim a hometown hundred off 190 balls.
He was out two balls later on 104 when he innocuously chipped back a catch to Keshav Maharaj for the leftarm spinner’s first wicket of the series.