Ahmedabad

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has posted his 14th Test century by patiently batting through day one of the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad.

It was just the second time a player from either team had reached three figures this series, joining Rohit Sharma after the India captain blasted a sublime 120 in Nagpur. It continues a stunning career resurgence for Khawaja, who was named the Shane Warne Test Player of the Year for his brilliant 2022 as he scored 1080 runs with four centuries. Already Australia's best-performed batter during a difficult series, Khawaja finally cashed in on Thursday at Narendra Modi Stadium after scoring 81 in Delhi and 60 in Indore.

SUMMARY: Australia enjoyed their best batting day of the series after captain Steve Smith won the toss. The tourists lost two wickets quickly, twice, but had ...

- Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on being part of the pre-match political extravaganza in Ahmedabad. MAN OF THE MOMENT: Usman Khawaja brought up one his finest centuries, batting all day in hot conditions to finish unbeaten on 104. The tourists lost two wickets quickly, twice, but had fine contributions throughout the day to be on course for comfortably their best total of the series.

The opening day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended with Australia at a relatively stable score of 255/4.

[@mastercardindia] [pic.twitter.com/2hXFYhvslW] [March 9, 2023] [@mastercardindia] [pic.twitter.com/LT3ao2kFBk] [March 9, 2023] Australia were kept quiet over the next few overs by Umesh Yadav’s short-pitched bowling and Jadeja’s crafty turn. For India, Mohammad Shami, who was back in the playing XI, was the pick of bowlers with 2/65. The hosts conceded 11 extras in the first five overs. Australia were aided in their quest of a good start by some wayward India bowling.

Opener scores century as Aussies reach 255-4 against India at Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.

The left-handed Head took charge to hit a flurry of boundaries including three in one over from pace bowler Umesh Yadav. Australia have already made it to the showpiece event. The match was a slow burn in the intense heat as Australia's batsmen scored at less than three runs an over and India's bowlers did not get much help from the surface. “There was a lot of emotion in that innings,” Khawaja said. However, Thursday turned into a slow procession as the Aussies battled their way to 255-4. “It was a mental battle more than anything else.

Usman Khawaja smashed the first century by an Australia batter in the current series against India to steer the tourists to 255 for four after the opening ...

"They batted well in the first session. India, who lead the series 2-1, need to win the match to join Australia in the final of the World Test Championship at The Oval in June. The series saw its first wicketless session when Khawaja and Smith combined to deny India a breakthrough in the second segment of the day. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story The pitch in Ahmedabad finally brought some relief to the batters and the 61-run opening stand between Khawaja and Head vindicated Smith's decision to bat first. AHMEDABAD, India, March 9 (Reuters) - Usman Khawaja smashed the first century by an Australia batter in the current series against India to steer the tourists to 255 for four after the opening day of the fourth and final test on Thursday.