HE left it late, but Usman Khawaja notched up his first ton against India yesterday as Australia worked into a strong position on day one of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. The left-handed opener carried his bat throughout the day’s play, flicking a gimme from Mohammed Shami off his pads to tick over triple figures in the final over.

Khawaja’s century, the first by any Australian in the series, was his 14th in Tests and took 246 deliveries to reach. The equal parts composed and classy knock helped guide Australia to 4-255 at stumps, as the tourists aim to level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series which India will inevitably retain.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat at Narendra Modi Stadium, which offered up a more batting friendly pitch. Certainly, it seemed a good toss to win, though the typical belligerence of Travis Head and wayward bowling from India’s seam attack made for less placid early overs.

Indian gloveman KS Bharat dropped a chance to remove Head and struggled with late-swinging deliveries, while the attacking left-hander began to find his groove. The Aussies’ opening stand lasted 61 runs before Head (32) searched for the rope one too many times, and first drop Marnus Labuschagne (3) didn’t last long.

An even opening session saw Australia consolidate through Khawaja and stand-in skipper Steve Smith, both of whom looked determined not to throw away their wickets. A middle session without further dismissal was soon forgotten when Ravindra Jadeja rather innocuously skittled Smith (38 off 135) after tea, again leaving him short of his maiden half-century of the series.

After a start of 17, Shami sent Peter Handscomb‘s off stump tumbling and Australia’s middle order looked exposed. Though, much like Head, Cameron Green offered a counterattacking presence at the opposite end to Khawaja and survived Umesh Yadav‘s bouncer barrage to finish the day unbeaten on 49 off 64.

Green and Khawaja will resume on day two with Australia looking to set up a formidable first innings total of around 350-400, with six wickets in hand. There will be no further political parties nor bizarre cricket themed floats at Narendra Modi Stadium though, which hosted a 50-60 thousand strong crowd and the prime ministers from both competing nations.

SCORECARD

1st Innings: Australia 4-255 (90.0)
Usman Khawaja 104* (251), Cameron Green 49* (64), Steve Smith 38 (135)
Mohammed Shami 2-65 (17), Ravindra Jadeja 1-49 (20), Ravichandran Ashwin 1-57 (25)

Stumps, Day 1.