Ashes 2019: First time in 58 years - Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja join unwanted list in Lord’s Test

England vs Australia: Steve Smith joined Usman Khawaja in the middle when he was batting on 36 and when the southpaw departed, the duo couldn’t open their partnership account for the third wicket.

Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith joined an unwanted list of players during the third day of the second Ashes Test against England at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Stadium in London on Friday. Smith joined Khawaja in the middle after Cameron Bancroft was dismissed for 13 in the 23rd over. Khawaja was batting on 36 and when the southpaw departed, their third wicket partnership score read 0.This is only the fifth instance at Lord’s when two players couldn’t score a single run in their partnership for the third wicket in the longest format.

File image of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. (Action Images via Reuters)

The last time this happened was way back in 1961 when Colin Cowdrey and Ted Dexter couldn’t score a single run in their partnership for third wicket at this famous venue.

Australia’s Steve Smith was out for 92 after resuming his innings having been forced to retire hurt when he was struck by a short ball from England fast bowler Jofra Archer on the fourth day of the Test.

Smith was on 80 when he was hit on the neck by test debutant Archer, who bowled a hostile spell from the Pavilion End during which his deliveries reached speeds of well over 90 miles per hour.

Smith, who made 144 and 142 in Australia’s emphatic victory in the first test, had defied the England attack again as the touring side replied to the hosts’ first-innings total of 258.

He was given a standing ovation by the crowd at the home of cricket as he walked off the ground before returning to the crease about 40 minutes later following the dismissal of Peter Siddle.

((With agency inputs))