AUSTRALIA: Rain prevented Usman Khawaja from reaching his first double century on Thursday, Day 2 of the ongoing second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. At the end of Day 2, Khawaja was not out at 195, with Matt Renshaw at the other crease.
In the third session, Australia had reached 475/4 when the day was abruptly cut short by rain. Travis Head was dismissed for 70 after Steve Smith achieved his 30th Test century to overtake Don Bradman in the rankings. Today was a great day for Australia, thanks to Khwaja’s unbeaten 195 with Smith’s fantastic feat.
For South Africa, Anrich Nortje took two wickets, and Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada took one wicket each.
Australia’s Day 2 batting review
David Warner was the only batsman who didn’t contribute from Australia’s side. However, other Australian batsmen made significant contributions to help their team. Khawaja and Labuschagne shared a 135-run partnership after Australia won the toss and decided to bat.
Anrich Nortje dismissed Labuschagne for 79 on Day 1. But Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith joined forces, which put South Africa in trouble.
Smith collapsed shortly after reaching his 30th Test century. Travis Head, who had been in excellent shape, adopted an aggressive stance and quickly reached his fifty.
Khawaja joined Wally Hammond, Doug Walters, and VVS Laxman as the only other batters to make three straight hundreds at the SCG when he finished the second run in the 76th over.
By day’s end, he was averaging 130.83 at the venue when he sat unbeaten on 195, nearly double his next-best mark from other Tests he had played.
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