Khawaja, Smith help Oz to good start
SYDNEY: Usman Khawaja closed in on a century, while in-form captain Steve Smith reached another milestone to put Australia in a promising position on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the SCG.
After England were bowled out for 346 before lunch in Sydney despite a late wag from the tail, Pat Cummins taking 4-80, before under-fire Khawaja (91 not out), big-hitting opener David Warner (56) and Smith impressedon Friday.
Khawaja – criticised for his batting throughout the Ashes – celebrated his third fifty of the series and 11th of his Test career in an unbroken stand of 107 with Smith after Warner also raised his bat for a half-century as Australia reached 193-2 at stumps, 153 runs adrift.
Smith (44 not out), who survived a scare after edging through the slips late in the day, hit his 6000th Test run to become the second fastest to reach the landmark alongside West Indies great Garry Sobers. Cameron Bancroft was unable to silence critics in favourable batting conditions amid doubts over his form.
Brief scores: Australia 193/2 (Usman Khwaja 91 batting, Steven Smith 44 batting; James Anderson 1/25) vs England 346 (Aus) 45 68 (WI) 65 111 (Aus) 61 111 (Eng) 70 114 (Eng) 66 116 (Eng) 72 116 (SL) 71 116 19 years & 32 days 14 years & 4 days 7 years & 176 days 11 years & 0 days 16 years & 206 days 12 years & 48 days 7 years & 151days Warner (56) caught behind, but an unbroken partnership of 107 from Khawaja and Smith made it advantage Australia.
England leg-spinner Crane bowled 17 overs for 58 runs without any reward on debut.