Khawaja – I don’t have a point to prove
The first Test of the 2023 Ashes series is delicately poised on three arrives at Edgbaston. Following England’s declaration on the first day, Australia dug in to move within 82 runs of the hosts’ target of 393 by stumps on day two, and are now closing in on that first innnings score.
Usman Khawaja led the fightback and began the day 126 not out, but Alex Carey soon fell to the bowling of James Anderson. Resuming on 311-5, the tourists felt confident about securing a first innings lead but they will have to get through a tricky session this morning. The relatively new ball should nip around a bit and with the tail now exposed, England will be hoping to run through the lower order quickly and without too much damage on the scoreboard.
Follow the score and latest updates from Edgbaston below:
England vs Australia: First Ashes Test, day three updates
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Sonia Twigg at Edgbaston
Drinks: Well England have had one wicket, but it came at the third time of asking, with Carey surviving a Bairstow drop and another from Stokes before he was bowled by Anderson for 66.
Captain Cummins dispatched Ali for successive sixes, before he had to leave the field, presumably to try and get some treatment on a finger issue that has affected him since yesterday.
England really need another couple of quick wickets, just as it did at times yesterday, it’s looking just a bit too easy for Australia’s batting at the moment.
Khawaja rolled onto his back to avoid a bouncer from Broad, but otherwise looked unflappable as he guided Australia to 365 for six.
Sonia Twigg18 June 2023 12:03
Australia 364-6 (106.3), Pat Cummins 22, Usman Khawaja 139, Ollie Robinson 0-51 (17.3)
Cummins and Khawaja work the ball away for a couple of singles as Robinson looks to get himself into this spell. His pace is gentle, in the high 70s, but he’s trying to hit those tight lines and lengths before ramping it up.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 12:01
Australia 362-6 (106), Pat Cummins 21, Usman Khawaja 138, Ollie Robinson 0-49 (17)
Ben Stokes is looking for a something different now as Ollie Robinson replaces James Anderson. Robinson has bowled well in this innings but has yet to get his reward.
Can he end this developing partnership?
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:59
Australia 362-6 (106), Pat Cummins 21, Usman Khawaja 138, Stuart Broad 2-50 (18)
A rare bouncer from Broad takes Khawaja by surprise. It’s well directed and aimed at the batter’s head. Khawaja ducks and is forced off balance before he falls to the ground in a heap.
He looks up at Broad with a smile and an acknowledgement of a good delivery.
Broad sends down a maiden.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:57
Australia 362-6 (105), Pat Cummins 21, Usman Khawaja 138, James Anderson 1-53 (21)
This is a decent innings so far from Pat Cummins. He punches Anderson away for a couple off the last delivery to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Cummins is into the 20s with a strike rate just a touch under 100. He’s only faced 26 balls for his 21.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:54
Australia 360-6 (104.2), Pat Cummins 19, Usman Khawaja 138, James Anderson 1-51 (20.2)
Anderson and Stokes have a conversation before the start of the next over and there’s a slight change in the field for Cummins with England trying to close the gap between point and gullly to stop that single.
The first two deliveries are worked into that part of the field so Stokes brings a fielder closer into a catching position.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:51
Australia 360-6 (104), Pat Cummins 19, Usman Khawaja 138, Stuart Broad 2-50 (17)
Broad is on point from the get go. Cummins dinks the first ball into a gap on the offside and takes a single.
With Khawaja on strike, Broad comes round the wicket and focuses on a line around off stump. The Aussie opener is up to the task and watchfully keeps Broad at bay.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:48
Australia 359-6 (103), Pat Cummins 18, Usman Khawaja 138, Stuart Broad 2-49 (16)
Yes, here’s the change in bowling. Stuart Broad is coming on for England and he’ll be focused on keeping his front foot behind the line after bowling Khawaja with a no ball yesterday.
Can Broad bring England some of his magic?
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:44
Australia 359-6 (103), Pat Cummins 18, Usman Khawaja 138, James Anderson 1-51 (20)
Khawaja works the ball away for one before Cummins guides a shot to the vacant third man for another couple. Australia are flying this morning with a run rate over five.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:42
Australia 355-6 (102), Pat Cummins 15, Usman Khawaja 137, Moeen Ali 2-147 (33)
That could be the last over from Moeen this morning. With Cummins at the crease Ben Stokes may decide to utilise his pace attack.
After finishing that over Moeen has jogged off the pitch, probably for some treatment on his spinning finger.
Mike Jones18 June 2023 11:39