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Khawaja misses out on century in shock late Test recall
Scott Bailey, AAP • December 17th, 2025 2:30 pm
Usman Khawaja held Australia's innings together, before being dismissed for 82 just before tea | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Usman Khawaja has gone from his career appearing over to producing his best innings on home soil in two years, as Australia went to tea at 5-194 on day one in Adelaide.
Left out of Australia's team on Tuesday, Khawaja was granted a lifeline on Wednesday when Steve Smith was ruled out with vertigo.
On the eve of his 39th birthday, the left-hander then held Australia's innings together with a stylish 82 after coming at No.4.
But just as a fairytale century appeared in sight, the Test veteran was caught on the boundary trying to sweep Will Jacks a few overs before tea.
Khawaja will no doubt be disappointed not to have made a statement century that would have the potential to lock in his spot in the middle order for the rest of the series.
Even still, his innings was crucial on Wednesday, after Australia fell to 2-32 in the first hour, then lost Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the first over after lunch.
Jofra Archer has been the man to do most of the damage for England, claiming the double-strike after lunch and holding figures of 3-19.
Khawaja missed the Brisbane Test with a back injury before Australia opted to stick with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald as openers.
With only two scores above 50 in his past 27 Test innings before Wednesday, Khawaja's chances of featuring in Test cricket again had at that point appeared bleak.
But he looked his old laconic self on Wednesday, clipping the ball off his pads, pulling shorter deliveries to the boundary and regularly cutting the ball behind point.
Khawaja's innings marked his highest innings on home soil since December 2023.
With him out, Alex Carey (48no) and Josh Inglis (5no) were left to take Australia to tea.
Khawaja provides air of calm on chaotic morning of third Ashes Test
Usman Khawaja has gone from his career appearing over to helping stabilise Australia's innings to 2-94 on a dramatic first morning of the third Ashes Test.
Left out of Australia's team on Tuesday, just two days shy of his 39th birthday, Khawaja was granted a lifeline on Wednesday when Steve Smith was ruled out with vertigo.
Batting at No.4, Khawaja was then dropped on five by Harry Brook at second slip, when he drove at a wide ball from recalled English seamer Josh Tongue.
But the left-hander then took control of Australia's innings in the opening session, working his way to an unbeaten 41 at lunch on the opening day.
Khawaja missed the Brisbane Test with a back injury before Australia opted to stick with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald as openers.
Daniel Vettori on the Kiwi influence in The Ashes | Millsy & Guy
With only two scores above 50 in his past 27 Test innings, Khawaja's chances of featuring in Test cricket again had at that point appeared bleak.
But he has looked his old laconic self on Wednesday, clipping Tongue for one boundary through the legside and cutting him for another.
He twice pulled Stokes to the boundary, while two sweeps off spinner Will Jacks also went to the rope.
Marnus Labuschagne was 19 not out at the break.
Khawaja had come to the wicket with Australia in some early trouble at 2-33, after Weatherald and Head fell in consecutive overs in the first hour.
Brydon Carse bowled poorly and was far too wide to Weatherald, who punished him with several cut shots through the offside.
But the left-hander was caught behind when he attempted to pull Jofra Archer and was cramped for room, skying the ball to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Head then followed shortly after, when Zak Crawley did superbly to hang on with his left hand close to the ground at cover, after Head had driven a Carse half-volley.
The hosts can wrap up the series with a win in Adelaide, with victory in four days enough to make for the fastest retention of the Ashes since 1921.
Smith scratched, Australia elect to bat
With speculation swirling around his availability, Smith was seen walking across the ground on Wednesday morning with his backpack on.
Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first.
Usman Khawaja has been handed a reprieve and returns as Smith's Australia's replacement to bat at No. 4.
The hosts can wrap up the series with victory in Adelaide, but the absence of Smith comes as a huge blow.
Dan Vettori on being in the thick of the Aussie Ashes obsession | Millsy & Guy
The 36-year-old remains Australia's most reliable batter, with scores of 61 not out and 23 in the eight-wicket win in Brisbane earlier this month.
"Steve is feeling a little bit unwell the last couple of days," captain Pat Cummins said.
"He came and gave it a crack this morning but didn't think he was going to get up for this one so he's headed off home.
"But we're pretty lucky we have got someone like Usman who can step right in."
He missed training on Monday and, while he was back in the nets Tuesday, Smith was spotted looking disappointed after a chat with team staff on Wednesday morning. Khawaja was then congratulated by teammates.
The 38-year-old's recall comes just one day after his Test career appeared over, when left out of the side despite recovering from back spasms.
Tune into Sport Nation for live ball-by-ball commentary of The Ashes series - the third Test begins December 17 on Sport Nation Extra via the Sport Nation app - thanks to SEN.
