Sydney, Jan 6 (AP) Usman Khawaja's ninth test century lifted Australia to 321-6 at tea after England had rallied in the middle session with the new ball on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test here on Thursday.

Playing his first Test since 2019 and only in the team because of Travis Head's positive test for COVID-19, Khawaja shared a century partnership with Steve Smith (67) and then anchored Australia's innings after Stuart Broad struck twice with the second new ball on Thursday.

Also Read | India vs South Africa 2nd Test 2021-22 Day 4 Live Streaming Online: Get Free Live Telecast of IND vs SA Test Series on TV With Time in IST.

At tea, Khawaja was unbeaten on 102 off 202 balls, having completed his second century against England in the final over before the break. Australian skipper Pat Cummins was on 15.

England took the new ball after the lunch interval and it paid immediate dividends as Broad (3-60) found the edge of Smith's bat with a delivery that moved off the seam and carried through to Jos Buttler, ending the former captain's 115-run partnership with Khawaja.

Also Read | ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Sneh Rana Named in India’s Squad, Shikha Pandey Snubbed.

Broad struck again four overs later, having Cameron Green (5) caught by Zak Crawley at slip to have Australia at 242-5.

Alex Carey made 13 before lofting a catch to Jonny Bairstow in the deep off Joe Root.

Despite wickets falling around him, Khawaja reached his century off 201 balls, with 11 boundaries to steady the innings. He'd had one reprieve, on 30, when he was dropped by Root off Jack Leach's bowling.

Khawaja enjoyed the celebration of his century in front of his former home state crowd, holding both arms aloft, raising and pointing his bat toward his team and family members in the historic Members Stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground before embracing his skipper mid-pitch.

Earlier, Smith compiled his 33rd half-century off 116 balls and on the way passed Justin Langer's career record of 7,696 runs to become Australia's sixth-highest run scorer in tests. Smith, playing his 81st match, needed 24 tests fewer than Langer, the current Australia team coach, to reach the mark.

Of concern for England, Ben Stokes left the field after the fifth ball of his 14th over just before lunch. The allrounder was clutching at his side as he left the ground for treatment.

Stokes returned to the field after lunch but did not bowl.

On Wednesday, sweeping showers permitted only 21 completed overs in the opening two sessions after Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first on a green-tinged SCG pitch, but the match sprang to life in the final session of play.

David Warner (30) was dismissed just before tea by the returning Broad for the 13th time in tests. Marcus Harris (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) were then removed as England's pace bowlers rebounded late in the day.

Australia has an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and has retained the Ashes, but England is still aiming to take something from the tour by winning a test in Australia for the first time in almost a decade. AP SSC

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)