Australia vs India 4th Test Day 2: Usman Khawaja snaps 44-year record in epic knock

Australia were under the pump but Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green have done what seemed unthinkable earlier in the series.

Australia has set a huge first innings score in the fourth Test at Ahmedabad, thanks to a 208-run stand between centurions Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green.

The 23-year-old Green smashed his maiden Test hundred in a tremendous innings as Australia batted through the first session without losing a wicket.

But he was dismissed for 114 when he gloved a ball down the leg side.

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The 208-run stand was the biggest of the series, while Khawaja hit his second highest Test score in a 422-ball 180.

Batting for 10 hours and 11 minutes, Khawaja set a new record for the longest innings by an Aussie on the subcontinent.

He surpassed Graham Yallop’s 392-ball 167 in the fifth Test of the 1979/80 series.

But on 180, he went back to a ball and missed a straight one from Axar Patel to be dismissed LBW.

Hell of a performance from Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP

It was a brilliant innings from the opener but he was again denied a double-century, two months after the Sydney Test where he was denied by a declaration from Aussie skipper Pat Cummins on 195 not out when the third day was completely washed out.

A fighting 70-run stand between Todd Murphy (41) and Nathan Lyon (33) pushed Australia’s score to 480.

However, the wicket is still a good batting strip as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill remained undefeated with India 0/36 after 10 overs.

9.23pm – Tail wags as Aussies fall 20 short of 500

Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy have put on 70 runs for the ninth wicket to push Australia to 480 before it was bowled out.

Murphy hit 41 and Lyon 33 to take Australia to a huge total.

Australia’s tail had been brittle this series so it was good to see some fight from the bowlers.

Ravi Ashwin ended the innings with 6/91 but the story was Usman Khawaja’s 180, which took him 10 hours to compile.

It’s given Australia a hefty total to bowl at with a win needed for the visitors to snatch a draw in the series after a dire opening two Tests.

8.07pm – Khawaja’s 10-hour epic is over

Usman Khawaja’s epic 10-hour vigil is finally over.

The Aussie batter’s hunt for a double-century fell 20 runs short after he was dismissed when he missed a straight one from Axar Patel.

Khawaja’s 422-ball innings is the sixth-longest innings by a visiting batter and was the third longest by time at 611 minutes.

7.45pm – Khawaja epic shatters 44-year record

Usman Khawaja is smashing the record for the longest innings played by an Aussie in India, romping past Graham Yallop’s 392-ball 167 in the fifth Test of the 1979/80 series.

At tea, Khawaja was on 421-balls on 180 not out.

That’s it. Usman Khawaja has played the longest innings of any Australian in India, passing Graham Yallop’s 392 balls in Kolkata in 1979.

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) March 10, 2023

Khawaja was denied a double-century in January in Sydney when a washed out day of the third Test against South Africa saw Aussie skipper Pat Cummins declare while the opener was 195 not out.

Could this be his opportunity?

It was a mixed session as the Aussies lost three wickets with Cameron Green dismissed for 114, Alex Carey for a duck and Mitchell Starc for 6.

Khawaja’s partner is Nathan Lyon, who is six off 36 balls with Australia 7/409.

6.29pm – India finally breakthrough

Cameron Green has finally been the first Aussie wicket to fall on day two, as he gloved a sweep shot down the leg side for 114.

It was a tremendous innings from Green and the first of what seems like it’ll be many centuries for the all-rounder.

It ended a 208-run stand between Green and Khawaja, the highest stand for an Aussie pair in India since 1979.

Alex Carey followed in the same over, top-edging a sweep shot as Australia quickly dropped to 6/379.

5.54pm – Cameron Green smashes maiden hundred

Cameron Green has brought up his first Test hundred – cutting Ravindra Jadeja for four through point to bring up the milestone.

The 23-year-old has gone close in the past but the all-round has finally broken through, and on the subcontinent.

It was a patient and watchful century off 143 balls as Australia piled on the runs at 4/355.

51.67 average in Pakistan.
Man of the match in Sri Lanka.
Hundred in India.

He is just 23 and has been absolutely incredible in Asia in Test cricket. Cameron Green, Take a bow. pic.twitter.com/Z9I9QIrS43

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 10, 2023

A special talent where the sky is the limit. Cameron Green 💯 first of many, that’s a given! #INDvAUS

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 10, 2023

Bravo, boy wonder 🌟

A maiden Test ton for Cameron Green. #INDvAUS

— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) March 10, 2023

A stunning, chanceless innings from Cameron Green to bring up his first Test century. Some of his drives have been as good as you'll see #INDvAUS

— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) March 10, 2023

Full list of Australian Test cricketers with a century and a five-wicket haul before their 24th birthday:

Ron Archer
Michael Clarke
CAMERON GREEN#INDvAUS

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) March 10, 2023

5.05pm – Khawaja brings up 150

Usman Khawaja has passed 150 for the fifth time his career as Australia put India to the sword.

Khawaja and Cameron Green have been in control against the Indians, reaching 3/337 when Khawaja brought up the milestone.

The partnership is out to 167, easily the best this series as Green moved past his highest Test score of 84, and potentially towards triple figures for the first time. He finished at 95 not out at lunch.

Australia didn’t lose a wicket in the first session of the day and the score is 4/347.

3.52pm – Indian ‘gamble’ spectacularly backfires

The tide has turned for Australia as the visitors look to pile on the pain in the fourth Test.

Having warmed into the series after two absolute shockers in the first two Tests, Australia will be spewing there is not a fifth Test after piling on the runs in the first innings of the fourth Test.

Usman Khawaja hit the first hundred by an Aussie in the series and has been the anchor in a patient knock.

But it was Cameron Green who really turned the tide.

India took the new ball with Australia 4/213 in the 82nd over, but Green raced from 12 off 32 balls to 49 off 64 by the end of the day.

He brought up his 50 early on day 2.

Cameron Green has starred. Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP

As the first hour of day two passed, the pair reached 4/295, moving past Axar Patel and Ravi Ashwin’s 114 run stand in the biggest partnership of the series.

Speaking on Fox Cricket, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said the new ball had changed the momentum of the game after Australia were 4/170.

“It allowed Green to really get some momentum back for the Australians,” Haddin said.

“The difference was his mindset — he wasn’t just looking to occupy the crease, he was looking to score runs.”

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar agreed, adding India was be “disappointed” by their bowling with the second new ball.

“Particularly after having taken the second new ball, to concede the number of runs they did, and the number of boundaries they did,” he told Star Sports.

“It was almost as if the Australians broke free when the second new ball was taken.

“The first couple of overs we saw from our new ball bowlers. That’s not what you want to see when you’ve got a brand new ball in your hand, the effort could have been better.”

3.05pm – Green brings up 50

Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green are doing a job for Australia with Green quickly bringing up his half-century.

The partnership has also increased to 90 early on day two.

2.30pm – Black armband tribute for Cummins’ mum

Australia will wear black armbands on Friday in a tribute to Pat Cummins’ mother, Maria, who passed away peacefully on Friday.

Maria Cummins had been battling serious illness in palliative care, with the Australian captain deciding to return home and miss the last two Test in India so he could be by her side.

News Corp reports Cummins told teammate and friends his mother passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, which includes sons Matt and Tim, as well as daughters Laura and Kara.

Maria Cummins had been suffering from breast cancer, having been initially diagnosed in 2005.

She was a huge supporter of the Jane McGrath New Year’s Pink Test at the SCG.

The Australian team will wear black armbands in a tribute to Pat Cummins’ mother Maria. (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)

In a statement, Cricket Australia said: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of Maria Cummins overnight. On behalf of Australian Cricket, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat, the Cummins family and their friends.

“The Australian Men’s team will today wear black armbands as a mark of respect.”

Pat Cummins alongside mother Maria (left) and sisters Kara and Laura.

2pm – Mark Waugh’s wild Smith theory

Perhaps the most dramatic moment of play came during the tea break when Aussie Test legend Mark Waugh suggested there are signs Aussie superstar Steve Smith could be considering an early retirement from Test cricket.

Smith made headlines this week when putting it on the record that he is unlikely to return to India when Australia next tours the subcontinent in four years’ time.

However, Waugh has a theory Smith could pull the pin much earlier than expected.

Smith said in January he could not guarantee he will still be playing at Test level for the 2023-24 Aussie summer, but also stressed he has “no plans” for retirement.

Smith also said earlier this week in India: “I can’t see myself coming back really, if I’m being realistic”.

“It’s interesting, a few times Steve Smith has mentioned retirement on this Tour down the line. It wouldn’t surprise me if he just overnight gives up,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

Former Aussie Test keeper Brad Haddin also said Smith may be considering an early retirement.

“I’m with you Junior. He also said it during the Australian summer,” Haddin said.

“He said it a few times, like, ‘Oh, I probably haven’t got as many games as people think left in me’. He mentioned it again before this Test match. Worrying signs.”