Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja guided Australia to a promising 209-3 at lunch on the second day of the fourth Ashes test under patchy skies at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After resuming at 126-3, Smith and Khawaja shared a 92-run partnership which spanned three short rain delays Thursday and offered very few opportunities for England's attack to build on its late rally before stumps on the opening day.
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Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja guided Australia to a promising 209-3 at lunch on the second day of the fourth Ashes test under patchy skies at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Smith, with three test centuries at his home SCG, appeared comfortable as he compiled his 33rd half-century off 116 balls without taking risks or attempting extravagant shots.
Although Leach was unlucky not to dismiss Khawaja for 30, with captain Joe Root spilling a reasonably simple chance at slip.
On Wednesday, sweeping showers permitted only 21 completed overs in the opening two sessions after Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first on a green-tinged SCG pitch, but the match sprang to life in the final session of play.
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At the lunch interval, Smith was unbeaten on 51 and Khawaja was 39 not out.
Australia's Usman Khawaja, left, sweeps the ball in front of England's Jos Buttler, center, during the second day of their Ashes cricket test match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
Smith, with three test centuries at his home SCG, appeared comfortable as he compiled his 33rd half-century off 116 balls without taking risks or attempting extravagant shots.
When reaching 30, Smith passed Justin Langer’s career record of 6,996 runs and became Australia’s sixth-highest run scorer in tests. Smith, playing his 81st test, needed 24 tests fewer than Langer, the current Australia team coach, to reach the mark.
Khawaja, playing his first test since 2019, became more adventurous with his stroke play as his innings progressed, which included a reverse sweep off spinner Jack Leach for a boundary.
England's Stuart Broad, center, watches as Australia's Usman Khawaja, left, and Steve Smith make runs during the second day of their Ashes cricket test match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
Although Leach was unlucky not to dismiss Khawaja for 30, with captain Joe Root spilling a reasonably simple chance at slip.
Concerningly for England, Ben Stokes left the field after the fifth ball of his 14th over. The allrounder was clutching at his side as he left the ground for treatment and did not return prior to lunch.
The England team said Stokes was “currently being treated for left side tightness and will be assessed over the course of the next hour.”
Australia's Steve Smith has the ball pop up after he was hit on the pads by England's Mark Wood during the second day of their Ashes cricket test match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
On Wednesday, sweeping showers permitted only 21 completed overs in the opening two sessions after Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first on a green-tinged SCG pitch, but the match sprang to life in the final session of play.
David Warner (30) was dismissed just before tea by the returning Stuart Broad (1-41) for the 13th time in tests. Marcus Harris (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) were dismissed as England's pace bowlers rebounded late in the day.
Australia has an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and has retained the Ashes, but England is still aiming to take something from the tour by winning a test in Australia for the first time in almost a decade.
Grounds keepers pull a cover over the wicket as rain delays play during the second day of their Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
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Cricket fans known as the Richies cheer during the second day of their Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)