The Day 2 of the first Ashes 2023 Test started with England dominating the morning session and striking a few quick early dismissals. However, Usman Khawaja’s ton later brought back the Australian side into the game and drove the team to 311/5 at the stumps.
Resuming their innings on 14 runs, Australia suffered two back-to-back dismissals in the 11th over of Day 2 courtesy of a sensational spell from Stuart Broad. Although Steve Smith and Travis Head then steadied the Aussie innings; they also had to walk back to the pavilion with Australia still trailing by a decent margin.
Despite wickets falling at one end, Khawaja batted resiliently to keep his team in the hunt. He was well supported by Cameron Green as the duo stitched a crucial 72-run partnership until Moeen Ali stepped in and cleaned up Green off a magical delivery, giving England the much-needed breakthrough.
It all happened in the 68th over when Moeen produced an exceptional outside-off delivery that tempted Green to drive towards the cover region. Green was deceived completely by the significant turn on the ball, and the red leather eventually went on to crash into the stumps from between the bat and pad of the Aussie batter.
"LOL"#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/hNHY3Owd0s
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 17, 2023
It is worth mentioning that India’s veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh was also left amazed by the peach of a delivery from Moeen and took to his Twitter to praise the latter.
“What a beauty Moen,” wrote Harbhajan sharing the video of Green’s dismissal.
What a beauty Moen ♠️ https://t.co/Rai7KEj4XN
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 17, 2023
Speaking of the match, Australia are currently in a dominating position with Khawaja and Alex Carey still on the crease. Notably, the left-handed smashed his 15th Test ton and finished Day 2 of the first Ashes Test unbeaten on 126. Meanwhile, Carey is batting on 52 runs.