Khawaja punishes England errors as Australia roar back from Broad salvo

Stuart Broad was in the thick of things as England and Australia vied for control on day two of the first Ashes Test, conjuring a big double breakthrough before reprieving centurion Usman Khawaja with a careless no-ball.

Broad raised the roof in the morning when he dismissed old rival David Warner and the world’s number one batter Marnus Labuschagne with consecutive deliveries, but Khawaja batted from start to finish as Australia finished 82 behind on 311 for five.

Khawaja’s supreme 126 not out dragged the tourists back from a parlous 67 for three at Edgbaston, but Broad will be kicking himself after bowling him late in the day only to be called for overstepping.

England had already squandered a couple of chances at the other end, wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow fumbling a stumping against Cameron Green and dropping a regulation catch off Alex Carey.

While Ben Stokes has stayed true to his attacking principles – with bat, ball and by springing a surprise declaration at 393 for eight on Friday afternoon – Australia have dug their heels in with a more conservative, traditional brand of Test cricket.

Khawaja was the personification of that, occupying the crease for 279 balls across almost seven hours but the 36-year-old did so with no little style. Amid long periods of studied concentration he picked his moments, striking the returning spinner Moeen Ali for five fours and two sixes.

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Ali Martin’s report from Edgbaston will follow