Reports of Usman Khawaja’s demise turned out to be greatly exaggerated as he seized an unexpected chance during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Khawaja, who turns 39 on day two of the Test at the Adelaide Oval, struggled with back spasms during the opening match of the series – scoring just two runs in the first innings and then being unable to bat in the second.

He missed out on the second Test triumph at the Gabba with the back issue and, given Australia’s strong performances in demolishing England, wasn’t initially selected for this third Test, prompting career obituaries in the local papers given his age.

However, he was given a surprise opportunity at redemption when Steve Smith was forced to withdraw just before the toss due to vertigo, leaving the ground shortly before play after struggling with “nausea and dizziness”, meaning Khawaja was recalled and slotted into at number four in the home batting line-up.

He was required to don the pads earlier than he would have liked when Australia openers Jake Weatherald and Travis Head fell in quick succession before the first drinks break to leave the hosts at 33-2 but the 38-year-old rose to the occasion in style.

Having been dropped by Harry Brook in the slips when on just five, he eventually made 82 off 126 balls before being caught at deep square leg when slog-sweeping off the bowling of Will Jacks.

Khawaja’s innings had almost been over before it really started when a thick edge off Josh Tongue flew into Brook’s hands at second slip, then popped straight out again and he never looked fully secure at the crease, occasionally flapping at short balls, but held firm and seized on anything wide.

He and a reserved Marnus Labuschagne put on 61 for the third wicket, steering the score to 94-2 at lunch, before Labuschagne flicked the first Jofra Archer ball of the afternoon session straight to midwicket.

The record-breaking, £2m IPL man Cameron Green lasted exactly two balls before falling in a similar manner to Labuschagne but Khawaja and wicketkeeper Alex Carey settled things down with a diligent response as they put on 91 together.

However, Khawaja’s hopes of a fairytale century fell 18 runs short as, having been ruffled by a spell of short bowling from England skipper Ben Stokes, he went on the attack against Jacks' part-time spin and picked out Tongue on the boundary.

That out Australia at 185-5, with the veteran walking off to a big ovation and perhaps an international cricket career saved for the time being.

Carey would kick on after tea, reaching a century as Australia passed 300 and England struggled to build on a promising position by quickly cleaning up their tail.

Additional reporting by PA

Usman Khawaja hit a defiant 82 Wednesday after being thrown a lifeline at the third Ashes Test in Adelaide as England fought hard in searing heat to stay in the contest at tea on day one.

Batting after captain Pat Cummins won the toss as temperatures topped 36 Celsius, the hosts were 194-5 after the shock news of Steve Smith being ruled out with illness.

At the break, Alex Carey was not out 48 and Josh Inglis on five.

Smith, who has more than 10,000 runs, had been feeling unwell in the lead-up but was on Tuesday named in the side.

He was on the field during the morning warm-up but left 20 minutes before the toss shaking his head.

His absence gave an unexpected chance for Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday and was overlooked as opener in favour of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald with many fearing it spelt the end of his career.

Khawaja, who missed the second Test in Brisbane after suffering back spasms in Perth, grabbed his chance in a stoic knock after being handed a reprieve when dropped on five.

He was eventually out just before tea, slog-sweeping to Josh Tongue in the deep off the spin of Will Jacks.

A blistering first over after lunch from Jofra Archer had left Australia reeling.

He removed Marnus Labuschagne for 19 with his first ball after the interval.

- Silence for Bondi victims -

Two deliveries later Cameron Green was gone, with Brydon Carse collecting catches at midwicket to dismiss both.

Weatherald earlier fell for 18 and Head for 10.

Players from both teams were wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting.  

A moment of silence was held before the game with security tightened at a packed Adelaide Oval where flags were flying at half-mast.

After eight-wicket defeats at Perth and Brisbane, England must win to keep the series alive, with a draw enough for holders Australia to retain the Ashes.

Weatherald was in fine early touch, clobbering a series of boundaries from Carse who was too short and wide.

But the opener's gung-ho approach cost him against the pace of Archer who fired down a bouncer and induced a top edge to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Head followed next over, with Zak Crawley taking a sensational instinctive catch low to his left at short cover off a fuller ball from Carse.

That brought Khawaja to the crease and he was fortunate to survive when Harry Brook dropped a sitter at second slip. 

Labuschagne lobbed an easy catch to Carse on their return, then incredibly Green repeated the feat in the softest of dismissals.

It was not a good look for the all-rounder, who a day earlier became the most expensive overseas buy in Indian Premier League history after a bidding war.

Khawaja brought up his 28th Test 50 to big cheers from the crowd but his bid for a first century since his 232 against Sri Lanka, nearly two years ago, were dashed.

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