KHAWAJA HITS TOP FORM

He scores 171 to help Australia pull away in the final Ashes Test

USMAN Khawaja plundered a big century as Australia roasted England’s bowlers yesterday to open up a 133-run lead with two days to play in the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Khawaja topscored with 171 while Shaun Marsh finished unbeaten on 98 after Steve Smith fell for 83 as Australia built a substantial lead with more runs to come and intense 40 Celsius (104 F) heat forecast for today’s fourth day.

Australia have already regained the Ashes with an unassailable 3-0 lead and are looking to close out the series 4-0 after last week’s fourth Test in Melbourne was drawn.

At the close of play on a draining Third day for the tourists, brothers Shaun and Mitchell Marsh were making merry in an unbroken 104-run partnership as Australia cruised to 479 for four.

Mitchell Marsh clubbed Moeen Ali for two sixes in three balls to be 63 not out off 87 balls at stumps after surviving a leg before wicket review in the final overs.

Khawaja batted for 515 minutes off 381 balls with 18 fours and a six for his maiden Ashes Test century.

It was the Pakistan-born Khawaja’s sixth Test hundred and first in Sydney and came at a time when some former players were calling for his sacking despite scoring two half-centuries earlier in the series.

Debutant Mason Crane ended Khawaja’s epic innings to capture his first Test wicket when he had him stumped by Jonny Bairstow with a sharp turner that left the Australian No 3 stranded out of his ground.

It was due reward for the Hampshire leg spinner, who endured the heartbreak of having a leg before wicket review rubbed out for a borderline no-ball when Khawaja was on 132 earlier in the day.

Crane, who at 20 is the youngest specialist spinner to play for England in 90 years, showed plenty of heart to keep plugging away without much luck until dismissing Khawaja.

Crane finished a challenging day with one wicket for 135 off 39 overs.

Shaun Marsh reached his fourth half-century of the series and survived a review on 22 for a catch behind off Joe Root after the “Snicko” and “Hot Spot” technology could not find supporting evidence.

England earlier claimed Smith’s prized wicket before lunch when Ali caught and bowled the Australian skipper when he seemed set to make his fourth century of the series.

Smith and Khawaja seized the momentum for Australia with a 188-run stand as England chase a face-saving win after surrendering the Ashes after just three matches.

The skipper has been one of the key differences between the two sides in the series, amassing 687 runs at an average of 137.40 with a top score of 239, his Test best.

There was drama in the final over before lunch when Khawaja survived a review for leg before wicket but only after Crane had been found to have just overstepped for a no-ball.

z Batsman Cheteshwar Pujara produced a stout rear-guard as India’s battle for survival on a lively Newlands wicket saw them crawl to 76 for four from 36 overs at lunch on day two of the opening Test against South Africa in Cape Town yesterday.

India still face a first innings deficit of 210 runs after bowling their hosts out for 286 on day one.

z New Zealand made 315 for seven in their 50 overs and had the tourists at 166 for six when rain stopped play in the 31st over in the opening one-day international. New Zealand beat the Champions Trophy holders by 61 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis system. AFP