Usman Khawaja was sent out to a full toss in the first innings of the final test

Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja was dismissed to a full toss in the first innings of his final Test match. On Tuesday, January 6, he received a standing ovation at Sydney Cricket Ground.

This was the most unfortunate manner in which Usman Khawaja could get out during the first innings of his last test match. On Day 3 of the fifth and final Ashes Test at his home ground of the Sydney Cricket Ground, the veteran Australian batsman dropped a full toss in front of his homeland crowd to leave the ground with 17 during the second session.

Khawaja appeared to be literally gutted, but sought a review, in which he hoped against hope the flight of the ball might miss the stumps. Replays, though, indicated that delivery, indeed, was going on to strike the timber, and that there was no inside advantage to bring the left-hander out of difficulty. 

Khawaja had made 49 deliveries at the crease and was sewing a 41-run partnership with Steve Smith. The two stabilised the ship after the Travis Head was dismissed; he had just lit up the SCG with a sparkling 163 with the help of 166 balls.

In the 84th over of the Australian innings, however, Khawaja was caught by an in-swinger full toss. Brydon Carse, who took the second new ball, set out the seasoned batsman with two well-swung inswingers, and then with the full stroke him on the boot.

However, the SCG crowd accorded Khawaja a standing ovation as they were willing to recognise his role in the Australian cricket team. Whether or not Australia has a second wave in the fifth test to play or not is yet to be seen, as there is high scoring in the first innings on both sides.

With the exit of Khawaja, stand-in captain Steve Smith still headed in driving Australia towards England’s first-innings of 374. Smith raised a half-century that was well-timed, and had on-form wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey with him as Australia passed 350 in the second session on day 3.

The preparation of the fifth and last test had concentrated much on the farewell of Khawaja. In a hot-tempered press conference, the 39-year-old batter declared that he would forcefully end his international cricket career at end his international cricket career at the end of the Ashes at his home ground.

Khawaja also gave one of the most challenging speeches of his career in a highly emotional appeal on the eve of what he described as his last Test appearance. His speech was calm yet resolute since he did not attempt to linger on figures and milestones, but rather took the opportunity to address what he claimed were historical problems of racial discrimination in Australian cricket circles.