Fast-bowler Josh Tongue castled in-form Usman Khawaja at the stroke of lunch to give England the much-needed first breakthrough in the ongoing second Ashes Test at the Lord’s.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bowl first in conditions that looked really good for bowling. The rainy and overcast conditions along with the green top on the pitch were perfect for England’s seamers to give their team a solid start. However, Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja had other plans.
Riding their lucks, the left-handed batsmen made sure not to lose their wickets. Warner looked in good touch and hit boundaries at regular intervals while Khawaja played the role of second fiddle to perfection. But just at the stroke of lunch, the partnership came to an end after Khawaja misjudged an inswinger from Josh Tongue.
On the first ball of the 24th over, Tongue managed to outsmart Khawaja by bowling an inswinger after bowling a series of outswingers early in his spell. It was a good length delivery and Khawaja was expecting it to move away. Consequently, he decided to leave the ball only to see the ball coming in and hitting the stumps.
Here is a clip of the delivery from Tongue to dismiss Usman Khawaja:
First Ashes wicket secured ?
Masterful from Josh Tongue ✨ #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/pS963Awgop
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2023
At lunch, Australia were on 73 for 1. Warner was batting on 53 runs off 70 balls with the help of 6 fours and 1 six. Khawaja, who scored a century and a fifty in the first Ashes Test, departed after scoring 17 runs. Australia are leading the five-match series after winning the first Test at Edgbaston by 2 wickets.
The momentum is with the visitors and they would be looking to make the most of it. Earlier this month, Australia had also won the WTC final by thrashing India by 209 runs at the Oval.