After he recovers from the back spasms that prevented him from playing in the Gabba match, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has hinted that Usman Khawaja might be considered for a middle-order position in the Adelaide Test. As Australia reevaluates its batting setup, his comeback creates a major selection dilemma for the third Test.
He will turn 39 during the Adelaide match. The choice has been complicated, though, by the outstanding performances of Jake Weatherald and Travis Head at the top of the order. Australia had only three half-century opening stands in their last 14 Test matches since David Warner’s retirement until this pair’s recent success, one of which featured Head and Khawaja in Sri Lanka.
Usman Khawaja may be the first Australian Test cricketer to play at that age in forty years.
“It was effective at this moment. We thought the combination was appropriate for the opposition and the circumstances of the Pink-ball Test at the Gabba. As we enter, we will continue to ask ourselves the selection table question. We will continue to enquire about the optimal lineup at that particular moment at our strategy sessions. According to ESPNcricinfo, McDonald stated, “And we’re taking this Test by Test.”
“Uzzie is thought to be limited to opening as well. He does, in my opinion, possess flexibility. We also like to believe that every one of our hitters is versatile enough to play anywhere in that order. As a series progresses, the opposition may present us with new obstacles because of the collective sort of group of batters we have there. We’re willing to see what the future holds for us,” he continued.
Australia’s selection conundrum has been made more complex by Usman Khawaja recent difficulties. Since the end of the 2023 Ashes, he has averaged just 31.84, a dramatic decline from the consistency he displayed for Queensland earlier in the season.
Usman Khawaja took Head’s place at No. 5 in the SCG Test after Head tested positive with Covid-19 during the Ashes in Australia in early 2022. His incredible career comeback was sparked in part by that innings.
McDonald disclosed that since then, there hasn’t been any serious discussion about moving Khawaja back to the middle order. Finding a long-term opening partner for Usman Khawaja was nearly Australia’s only priority once Warner retired in early 2024; Weatherald seemed to be destined for the position prior to Usman Khawaja back spasms in Perth.
We haven’t previously talked about moving him because he’s been a stable piece up there. However, if the batting model has any moving pieces in the future, we’re open to what it might look like. It will all depend on whether Trav opens or returns to the middle. “We’re going at it test by test,” McDonald stated.
Josh Inglis, who batted at No. 7 in the Gabba Test and scored an erratic 23 runs, would probably be dropped if Usman Khawaja were to return to the starting lineup. On Wednesday, Australia is anticipated to confirm their team for the Adelaide Test. After being added to the 14-man team that played in Brisbane, Pat Cummins, the captain, is expected to return to the starting lineup.
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