On the second day of the fourth and final Test against India, Australia's Usman Khawaja played a magnificent innings of 180 runs, while Cameron Green hit his first-ever Test century, helping Australia score 480 all out, which is the highest in the series so far.
Australia's innings was anchored by Khawaja and Green who built a solid 208-run partnership for the fifth wicket, the highest in the bowler-dominated series. Khawaja's batting was a masterpiece, lasting for 10 hours and facing 422 balls, the most by any Australian batter in India, smashing 21 fours along the way.
After Australia declared at 480, India, who are leading the series 2-1, had an unbeaten opening stand of 36 runs with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the end of day two. India needs to win this match to secure their place in the final of the World Test Championship against Australia in June, and they currently trail by 444 runs.
???? for Cam Green vs ???#OneFamily #INDvAUS #BGT2023 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/9KGWNVuhl2
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 10, 2023
On a flat pitch where there was little turn or reverse swing, Khawaja and Green dominated the morning session by scoring heavily. Green, in particular, was in fluent form and went on to make a confident century, hitting three boundaries off Umesh Yadav in an over and reaching his hundred with a four off Ravindra Jadeja. The delighted all-rounder celebrated by taking off his helmet and basking in the applause, and was hugged by Khawaja.
The 208-run partnership between Khawaja and Green was broken by Ashwin, who managed to glove Green's sweep shot to wicketkeeper KS Bharat. In the same over, Ashwin also dismissed Alex Carey, and after the tea break, Khawaja was trapped lbw by Axar Patel. The decision was initially not out, but India successfully reviewed and overturned it. Todd Murphy and Nathan Lyon contributed with useful cameos, but Ashwin dominated the lower order. Meanwhile, the Australian players wore black armbands to pay tribute to skipper Pat Cummins' mother Maria, who passed away. Cummins had flown home after the second Test in Delhi, and Steve Smith continued to lead the team.
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