Usman Khawaja's stunning return to test cricket continued today with a blistering century in Australia's second innings on day four leading the hosts to 265-6 declared and setting England an unlikely 388 runs to win the fourth Ashes test.
Openers Zak Crawley and Haseeb Hameed then survived a nervous 11 overs in fading light to get England safely to stumps at 30 without loss. Khawaja, who scored 137 in the first innings in his first appearance since 2019, headlined another dominant day for Australia with an unbeaten 101 off 138 balls as part of a 179-run partnership with Cameron Green.
It was just the third time that twin centuries have been made at the Sydney Cricket Ground with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting the last man to score two centuries in an SCG test — 2006 against South Africa.
Green (74) made a welcome contribution for Australia, who had sunk to 86-4 earlier in the day, with his second half-century in his eighth test.
The record successful fourth innings chase at the SCG is 288, which was achieved by Ponting's Australia in the same 2006 test against South Africa. While it's highly unlikely England will defy SCG history and chase down a near 400-run target, Crawley (22 not out) and Haseeb (eight not out) helped give England a glimmer of hope that they may yet save the game and achieve their best result so far in the series.
