The Big Bash League (BBL) is today one of the biggest T20 franchise leagues in the world but we’re going to roll back the years a little today and bring one out from the archives. We’re throwing it back to BBL 2015/16 when southpaw and Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja registered his first BBL century. It happened during what may have been the best period of his cricket career.
The reason we’re calling it the best time of his career is because he only played 4 matches in BBL 2015/16 and still ended as the second highest run scorer of the tournament, with 345 runs in 4 games, finishing second only to Chris Lynn. Khawaja scored 2 fifties and 2 centuries in that season, batting at an average of 172.50 and today, we’re going to talk about that maiden BBL century he got.
We’re going back to the night of 20th December 2015 which was Match 5 of the BBL 2015/16 season. Melbourne Stars led by David Hussey decided to field first against Sydney Thunder which was being led by his brother, Michael Hussey. In this family affair, it was Khawaja who opened the innings, attacking from one end as partners Jacques Kallis, Aiden Blizzard and Shane Watson all fell for single-digit scores!
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He hit 12 fours and 3 sixes in this innings which displayed what sublime form he was in, stitching up small partnerships with Mike Hussey and Andre Russell. Eventually, they got up to 178/6 and Khawaja ended with 109(70)*, bringing up a maiden BBL century in the process (he didn’t know he’d get another one a few matches later). For the Stars, John Hastings and Glenn Maxwell picked up 2 wickets each.
And the best part about this knock is that Khawaja was out of action for a while and this was his first game back in action after his hamstring injury. Looking at the fluidity of that innings, very few would believe that Khawaja was out of action and not playing cricket for a month before this game. Khawaja was expected to get straight into the Australia squad for the Boxing Day Test after this knock.
“I’m really happy with the way it felt. The test was how it would feel when I went back into the field, backing up, and it felt really good. The longer I was out there the more I started trusting my body. I was a little bit anxious at the start but the further on I got through the more happy I felt. I’ll keep trying to tick all the boxes and … fingers crossed I’ll be right for the rest of the summer,” he said
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In the chase though, Kevin Pietersen almost rained on Khawaja’s parade, smashing 76(42) and nearly pulling off a brilliant victory for the Stars. No one would’ve wanted a century in vain and luckily for Usman, KP skied one up off the bowling of Clint McKay and the thrilling game ended on the final ball. Stars needed 4 off 1 and they only got 2, handing Thunder a narrow, 1-run victory.
With the ball, it was Kallis who bowled that final over where he defended 10 runs but the star with the ball was Russell, who ended with 2/28 in his 4 overs. Since they managed to complete this narrow win, Khawaja was awarded the Man of the Match for his superb century that eventually ended in a winning cause! For more updates on all BBL centuries, make sure you stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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