Ashes 2023: Usman Khawaja’s milestone and rain play spoilsport in engaging Oval Test

On the fourth day of the thrilling fifth Ashes Test at the Kennington Oval, Australian opener Usman Khawaja etched his name in the history books by completing 5,000 runs in Test cricket. The veteran batsman reached this impressive milestone during the second innings of the match, adding yet another feather to his illustrious career.

Before the match, Khawaja required 115 runs to achieve the 5,000-run mark. In the first innings, he showed his mettle by scoring a valuable 47 runs. As the second innings unfolded, the experienced opener demonstrated his class, reaching 69 not out by stumps.

At the start of Day 5, Australia, seeking to pull off their second-highest run chase in Test history and their best on this ground, will have a solid foundation at 135-0. The partnership between Khawaja and David Warner had given them hope to secure a memorable victory against England.

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Australia need 249 runs to win on the final day

However, rain played spoilsport on Day 4, interrupting the enthralling contest. The match was tantalizingly poised with Australia needing 249 runs to clinch victory. Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, Khawaja’s contribution and milestone added a sense of achievement to the Test.

Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings at 389-9 and managed to add only six more runs before Todd Murphy claimed the last wicket, finishing with impressive figures of 4/110. The first innings lead provided Australia with a challenging target to chase, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion.

Throughout the Test, Khawaja’s brilliance and consistency were evident. As the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Ashes series, he proved his worth as a vital asset to the Australian team.

Joining forces with Warner, the Australian openers exhibited watchful and poised batting, taking on the new ball challenges posed by Stuart Broad. Their partnership was the foundation of Australia’s chase, providing fans with hope of witnessing a thrilling finish to the five-match series.

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