Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja is on the cusp of achieving the record of scoring 500 runs in an Ashes series since legendary Don Bradman. The 36-year-old is seven runs short of this massive milestone as he has been the best batter in the series so far and he will also join Steve Smith to score 500 runs in an away Ashes series this century.
Usman Khawaja has been one of the most in-form players in red-ball cricket over the last couple of years. He has been a standout player for Australia so far in the series, as he played exceptionally well for the Baggy Green putting in some match-winning performances for the team in crucial games of the series.
The left-handed batter will look to continue his fine form going into the final day of the cracker series in England.
Speaking to the media after the end of the Day 4 play, Australian batting coach Michael Di Venuto is hopeful of their batters putting up a good show on the final day of the game and expects the pitch to play well at Oval.
“I don’t expect it to deteriorate too much tomorrow, I don’t expect it to deteriorate too much tomorrow,” Michael Di Venuto said
Australian openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner put in an impressive unbeaten partnership of 135 runs in a record chase of 384 runs to keep their team in the hunt to chase down the total in the cracking final day of the series.
Pat Cummins-led side will be heading into the final day of the Ashes needing 249 runs to win the series in England and they have got experienced David Warner and Usman Khawaja in the middle as they showed a lot of composure and determination to play out the tough phase on Day 4 of the game.
Experienced Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne would be key players for the team in the chase as the pitch usually offers spin on the final day of the game.
England will be looking to bowl well on the final day of the game to pick up 10 wickets and draw the series 2-2 on home soil. Meanwhile, Baggy Greens would look to achieve a 3-1 triumph while even a draw would ensure Australia’s first series victory in England for 22 years.