Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)
The fourth Test of the Ashes 2023 will begin on Wednesday, July 19 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Australia are leading the series by 2-1 and are just one win away from winning the Ashes for the first time in England since 2001. One of the reasons behind Australia’s dominant run so far is opening batter Usman Khawaja’s incredible form. The southpaw is the leading run-scorer of the series so far with 356 runs to his name from three matches at an average of 59.33.
His performances include match-winning innings of 141 and 65 in the first Test of the series at Edgbaston. Life has come a full circle for Khawaja as it was at Old Trafford only when he was dropped from the Test team four years back during the Ashes 2019 after scoring just 122 runs in the first three Tests. Recalling that period, the 36-year-old recently said that it was the toughest point in his career as he thought that it was over.
“It was the toughest point of my career. I thought my career was pretty much over then. My wife was joking about it the other day. She was sitting up in a shopping mall at Leeds and she was saying last time I was here, it wasn’t a good time,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Khawaja has truly redeemed himself since then as he’s the leading run scorer for Australia since his comeback to the Test team during the Ashes 2021-22. The opening batter announced his arrival in style with twin hundreds (137 and 101*) in the fourth Test of the series in Sydney. Since his comeback, he has amassed 1977 runs in 20 matches at an average of 63.77 with seven hundreds and nine fifties to his name.
England desperate to level the series in the fourth Test
Meanwhile, England face another must-win encounter after winning the third Tests at Leeds by three wickets. Speedster Mark Wood was the star of the show for the hosts and he was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for picking seven wickets (5/34 in the first innings) and scoring 40 crucial runs in the game. The Ben Stokes-led side will be desperate to continue their winning momentum and level the series in the fourth Test.