Khawaja steers calm course on Ashes rollercoaster

BIRMINGHAM, England : An Ashes test match that remained unpredictable from the first ball on Friday to Tuesday's nerve-jangling climax had one constant - Australia opener Usman Khawaja.

While England's merry band of mercurial entertainers, captained by the risk-taking Ben Stokes, ripped up the test match textbook, Khawaja showed that old-fashioned values still have a place in the brave new world.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins grabbed the headlines with a masterful 44 not out in a 55-run match-winning partnership with Nathan Lyon as the visitors reached their 281 victory target with two wickets to spare.

But without deserved man-of-the-match Khawaja, Australia would have been bounced out by England's 'Bazball'.

The Pakistan-born 36-year-old had never scored a century in England before, but struck a magnificent 141 in the first innings to keep his side in the game.

He then chipped in with a painstaking 65 in the second innings, which was far from pleasing on the eye but gave Australia a platform for their late attack.

Incredibly he batted on all five days of a rollercoaster match, facing 518 deliveries and spending an astonishing 796 minutes at the crease, barely offering up a chance.

Khawaja's poise and diligence was a throwback to the old days when occupation of the crease meant everything and provided a fascinating contrast to the mayhem around him.

"He showed incredible composure in both innings. He didn't get caught up in anything. He has been a class player the last few years and I'm really happy for him," Cummins said of Khawaja.

"The plan was everyone to bat at their own pace. Having had a good first innings he had a good feel for the wicket but everyone chipped in."

Chants of 'boring boring Aussies' rang around Edgbaston on