FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Australia Nets - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - August 12, 2019 Australia's Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja prepare for a team group photo before nets Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs Smith and Khawaja save Australia, after an early setback.
After Shaheen Afridi had wounded the visitors early with the new ball; Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja saved Australia with a century stand on the first day of the last Test. Smith and Khawaja both made half-centuries in the process, guiding the team to a total of 145/2 at Tea.
After winning the toss, Australia decided to bat first on a pitch that was projected to aid turn later; in the game. They were shattered early on against the new ball, with Shaheen dismissing David Warner; and Marnus Labuschagne in the space of three deliveries. Warner was caught leg-before-wicket for the first time, and Labuschagne pushed his second delivery behind.
Smith and Khawaja then teamed up to stop the slide and ensure no more damage occurred; until the lunch break, but the real difficulty was to keep going in the same direction after that. While they were able to rotate the strike frequently after the break, Khawaja’s first boundary came after six overs; when he drove Shaheen clear of cover. Khawaja got back into the act in the next over; punching one past the cover region to climb into the 40s.
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To reach his half-century, Khawaja confronted Sajid Khan once more, whereas Smith remained protected and calm at the other conclusion. Australia’s number four came to his half-century after 154 conveyances; with 24 of those runs coming within the first 85 balls of the session.
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On the moo, moderate surface, scoring runs wasn’t simple, and there were no evil; spirits to torment the hitters at the same time. With Smith, in the long run, getting his first boundary of the session with a flip through midwicket; the hosts will have to discover a way to break through and assault the center after the break.
