When Usman Khawaja whipped the third-last ball before tea off his pads to bring up a century, his jubilation came with a nod to a king on the other side of the planet.
But there can be no doubt whose court the SCG was on Thursday.
The 35-year-old ripped his helmet off, careened around the field he once called home, and then stopped and busted out his own version of LeBron James’ trademark ‘silencer’ celebration.
AS IT HAPPENED: Australia v England, fourth Test, day two
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There were plenty who had been silenced. Khawaja’s doubters had come in droves, but so too were there supporters of the former Blue turned Bull, who many felt was passed over in his career far too often.
For them, it was sweet vindication.
Australia declared on 8-416 (England are 0-13 in response having survived a tricky five overs), with valuable contributions throughout the order, but this was Khawaja’s day up until he chopped one onto the stumps, out for 137.
It was a sparkling innings from a brilliant strokemaker. It had it all: cuts, drives, playing off his pads, and even a couple of cheeky reverse sweeps.
Khawaja isn’t a case of a ‘what if’, his contributions since debuting in 2011 go far beyond that. But there was always, for whatever reason, a perception that he was afforded less rope than others in the Australian team when it came to retaining his spot during tough times.
Following a lean Ashes series in England back in 2019, that well could have been it for him at Test level.
But instead, he continued to graft at Shield level, and he found his way back where he always knew he belonged — albeit due to a positive COVID-19 test for Travis Head.
It’s not often (or perhaps ever) Pat Cummins gets booed at the SCG, but with Khawaja at the non-striker’s end on 99 and part-timer Dawid Malan bowling, the crowd grew restless as tea approached and the captain played defensively, with three dot balls in a row.
Those turned to cheers as Cummins whacked consecutive boundaries, but boos returned as he worked a single away to retain the strike for the session’s last over.
Jack Leach came in for the last six balls before tea and after two forward defences, Cummins pushed a single through point as the crowd roared.
Khawaja had three balls before the interval, but he only needed one.
It was a rapid journey from half to full century, too. His first 50 came from 134 deliveries, the second just 67.
What happens next? Travis Head will return in Hobart, but Khawaja had already been floated as an alternative opener to Marcus Harris, who has endured a torrid series at the top of the order.
It seems inconceivable that a man who just posted a century could find his way out of the side just days later, but Khawaja said it best before play on the opening day.
“One time you’re on top of the world, everything’s going well, and the next minute you’re just down and out.”
For the next few days at least, he can cherish a return to the top.
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