Usman Khawaja verbal altercation with English fans at Ashes Test

Ashes : Usman Khawaja

During the fifth day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, Australian opener Usman Khawaja got into a verbal altercation with English fans in the Long room as the players were heading back to the dressing room. The incident was sparked by the controversial nature of Jonny Bairstow’s run-out.

During the final ball of the 52nd over, Bairstow ducked under a short delivery from Cameron Green and casually walked out of the crease without making sure the ball was dead. After noticing the situation, Australian wicket-keeper Alex Carey threw the ball and hit the stumps with Bairstow out of the crease.

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The third umpire adjudged the batter out, a decision that did not go down well with Bairstow or the English fans. The crowd expressed their dismay by booing the Australians multiple times. During the lunch break, Australian players faced the wrath of the England fans as they passed through the Long Room.

Khawaja got into a heated verbal exchange with one of the fans, and security personnel had to step in to de-escalate the situation. David Warner also got involved in an exchange with a spectator during the incident.

Ben Stokes scored a brilliant century on Day 5 

On the final day of the second Ashes Test, Ben Stokes played a crucial role in keeping England’s slim chances alive with a scintillating century. In the first hour, England got off to a decent start with Ben Duckett and Stokes playing out the first hour without losing a wicket.

However, the Australian bowlers made a comeback in the second hour by dismissing Duckett and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession, leaving England at 193/6 in the chase of 371. Stokes stood firmly at one end and delivered a superlative performance in the first session, ensuring that England’s hopes of winning the Test stayed alive.