Give Usman Khawaja more time to shine

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By Red Kev, 20 Dec 2011 Red Kev is a Roar Rookie

Tagged:: Australian Cricket, Cricket, Test cricket, Usman Khawaja

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Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes have been dropped for Boxing Day (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

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One thing I have noticed already this summer is the vitriol being directed at batsmen trying to break into the Australian Test team.

Whether it is not having a good enough average at Shield level, or not scoring enough runs immediately on making the national team, the lack of patience and tolerance displayed by Australian “fans” is phenomenal.

I am going to focus this discussion on Usman Khawaja, because, as you may have noticed, he’s my pet soapbox in Australian cricket, just as Scott Higginbotham is in Australian rugby.

There are calls in the blog and comment media (especially here) for Khawaja to be dropped because he isn’t scoring enough runs, or because people don’t think he’s good enough.

There are a few things to consider:

- He has only played six Test matches and all six he’s been there as injury cover.
- Khawaja has averaged over 60 in Shield Cricket during the the last two seasons (he’s only played one match this season but still averages over 60 this season too).
- His technique is solid (even four of the seven balls he faced in the Big Bash looked good despite being dismissed for three trying to push along the run rate) and that gives longevity to a player.

Six Tests for one half-century all the detractors cry as if it’s not just mediocre but poor. Sorry but that is a pretty impressive opening to a Test career (only one single figure score and one half century in 11 innings). Not everyone comes out the gate all guns blazing like Greg Blewett, and even fewer do it and then carry it on for a career, like Ricky Ponting.

Compare Usman Khawaja’s start with the starts of three of Test cricket’s recent greats:

Usman Khawaja: 37, 21, 21, 26, 13*, DNB, 12, 65, 38, 0*, 7, 23: average after six Tests 29.22.

Steve Waugh: 13, 5, 8, 0, 11, DNB, 74, 1, 1, 0, 12*, 2*: average after six Tests 14.11 – Test in which he scored his maiden century 27th, career average 51.60.

Jacques Kallis: 1, DNB, 7, DNB, 6, 39, 0, 2, 2, DNB, 61, DNB, 7: average after six Tests 14.75 – Test in which he scored his maiden century, current career average 56.77.

VVS Laxman: 11,51, 14, 1, 5, 35*, 0*, DNB, 64, 27, 0, DNB, 17: average after six Tests 26.00 – Test in which he scored his maiden century, current career average 47.14.

If Waugh, Kallis or Laxman debuted for Australia right now, they’d be crucified by the media and the fans.

Maybe Khawaja needs to be dropped back to Shield cricket, like Justin Langer and Damien Martyn (who both also averaged less than 30 after six Tests, and went on to average in the mid 40s for their career), or maybe he just needs to be told that for the Indian and West Indies series the spot (at three or four) is his and to go out and score some runs.

Bottom line, exercise some patience, show a little faith, and give the guy some time (whoever the guy happens to be).

The Crowd Says (51) | Page 1 of Comments

December 20th 2011 @ 6:18am
Red Kev said | December 20th 2011 @ 6:18am | Report comment

A couple of mistakes (omitted numbers) in the story (test in which each player scored their maiden test century):
Steve Waugh: Test in which he scored his maiden century = 27th
Jacques Kallis: Test in which he scored his maiden century = 7th
VVS Laxman: Test in which he scored his maiden century = 17th

It is also worth noting that the two other examples I mentioned (Langer and Martyn) had also not scored their first test century after 6 test matches.

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December 20th 2011 @ 7:41am
Swampy said | December 20th 2011 @ 7:41am | Report comment

Who is calling for Khawaja to be dropped? No sane commentator I’ve heard or read has claimed this. Focus has been on Hughes, Ponting and Haddin.

We need more players with Khawaja’s temperament – less with Hughes’.

It is why people are screaming for Ed Cowan
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- December 20th 2011 @ 8:28am
  Red Kev said | December 20th 2011 @ 8:28am | Report comment
  
  I did say “blog and comment media” as opposed to sane commentator
  
  Reply
- December 20th 2011 @ 8:47am
  Matt F said | December 20th 2011 @ 8:47am | Report comment
  
  SWampy – I don’t think that anyone’s really calling for him to be dropped. But there’s a growing belief that we’ll need an all-rounder in the side with Watson not able to bowl and Harris a 90% chance to break down, which means 2 of the top 7 will go out. Given the talk from Arthur about how Ponting and Hussey are safe (apparently forever) and the fact that Khawaja’s not part of the batting camp, people are expecting the selectors to make the soft call to drop Khawaja (as well as the obvious hughes) rather then make a tough decision on the declining, former greats. Nobody is really happy about it, but we’ve begrudgingly accepted that this is what will happen, as stupid as it will be.
  
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- December 20th 2011 @ 12:20pm
  Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
  
  Chappelli said he should be dropped. Not sure if he’s sane or not, but people seem to listen to his views.
  
  Reply
  - December 20th 2011 @ 12:32pm
    Matt F said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
    
    People who listen to his views aren’t very sane. Though when I said “anyone” I meant general fans. Almost all the ex-players are siding with Ponting. Big surprise there…..
    
    Reply
December 20th 2011 @ 8:37am
Brett McKay said | December 20th 2011 @ 8:37am | Report comment

All well said Kev, Khawaja has to hold his spot in the team, for the simple fact that he hasn’t done that much wrong. I mentioned last week his seven or eight scores between 21 and 65 (but only the one 50), and that he does need a big score soon to keep the wolves at bay, but he certainly shouldn’t be dropped in my view..

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- December 20th 2011 @ 8:48am
  Red Kev said | December 20th 2011 @ 8:48am | Report comment
  
  I didn’t really push the underlying message anywhere other than the last line – that we Australian sports fans seem to have a startling lack of patience and demand instant returns from players. I used Khawaja as an example but the premise can be as readily applied to any incoming player (although batsman especially).
  For example if Marsh came back in and played the next 7 tests but failed to pass 50 in any of the innings dropping his average down into the 20s the wolves would probably be out again. Hashim Amla’s test average was still down below 30 after 10 tests despite already having a score of 149 to his name.
  I just think Australian cricket fans need a little more patience.
  
  Reply
  - December 20th 2011 @ 9:14am
    Brett McKay said | December 20th 2011 @ 9:14am | Report comment
    
    Couldn’t agree more, that’s exactly why I’m generally against making sweeping changes to any side (despite that being the topic of my column last week..)
    
    Reply
    - December 20th 2011 @ 9:19am
      Red Kev said | December 20th 2011 @ 9:19am | Report comment
      
      Yeah I admit I’m ageist in that regard – I am far more willing to extend patience to younger players than older ones.
      
      Reply
    - December 20th 2011 @ 12:10pm
      jameswm said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
      
      Sweeping changes? Warner, Watson, Clarke, Khawaja and Marsh all have a fair bit of test experience.
      
      Does it really matter bringing 3 rookies in in the same game? Wade as well maybe? Being a rookie hasn’t hurt Cummins, Pattinson or Warner lately.
      
      Watson, Clarke, Siddle – these guys have test experience. And how much has Ponting and Hussey’s (and Haddin’s) test experience helped lately? Bugger all.
      
      Ideally you don’t want to make sweeping changes, but when things aren’t working, changes are needed. (At least) one of Ponting and Hussey has to go, and I’d dump Punter. I’m unsure on Hussey right now.
      
      And I’d have dumped Haddin a year ago (when Tim Paine showed him how a test keeper should play), and he certainly hasn’t done anything in the last 12 months ago to change my opinion of him. In fact he’s done his level best to bring others to my opinion.
      
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      - December 20th 2011 @ 12:17pm
        Brett McKay said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
        
        James, I was talking generally there, right now I agree with you, multiple changes need to be made. I don’t think that was the case during the Ashes series, for eg..
        
        Reply
      - December 20th 2011 @ 12:52pm
        Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
        
        Haddin and Hussey were both very fortunate to play in Brisbane last year.
        
        Reply
  - December 20th 2011 @ 12:21pm
    Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
    
    Amla was in fact dropped for a while though. But I suspect SA could afford to do so with other No.3 options around; a luxury Australia doesn’t have.
    
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December 20th 2011 @ 9:54am
damos_x said | December 20th 2011 @ 9:54am | Report comment

If Khawaja was to be dropped at this early stage then it begs the question of what did the selectors pick him for to begin with ? If it was to score centuries from the get go then they were deluded & if it was because he is a promising talent who has proven himself at Shield level then he’s earned his spot & should be given a chance to step up.
He looks to have excellent technique & mental composure, surely qualities which will see him improve, as opposed to Hughes for example, who has obvious technical issues & has been found out quickly on the international scene. ( that said, Hughes has shown he can compile runs & my opinion is much the same on him, they picked him for a reason so give him the chance to show improvement)
I believe most of the calls for him to be dropped will have come from fickle fans who lack the nous or understanding of the game to really comment. I see many comments made in various forums which a quick check on Statsguru will easily contradict. Many people are talking, it’s just that not all of them make sense.

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December 20th 2011 @ 9:54am
Bearfax said | December 20th 2011 @ 9:54am | Report comment

Sad thing is there is a bunch of talented young batsmen coming through, and it is at a time when the focus is very much on immediate performances because of Australia’s indifferent recent form and status slump.

Hughes, Warner and Khawaja are very talented young players, but they need time to adjust to the rigours of test cricket. They’ve proved themselves in Shield cricket so we know they have the skills.

Its always a bumpy road at the beginning of a test career as oppositions work out your flaws and concentrate on them, and note your strengths and do their best to ensure you dont utilise them. Hughes unfortunately has been found out and needs a year or so to counter his difficiencies but he’s too good a bat not to be back and make a success. Warner is the flavour of the month, but they’ll work him out and he’ll have to refine his skills to become the wonderful batsman I think he’ll become. And Khawaja, probably the soundest of the three technically seems to be on a confidence roller coaster. One big score and I think this kid will blossom.

Most important thing for the selectors and public to have at this stage is PATIENCE. These kids will come good and be part of the foundation of our next successful test team.

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December 20th 2011 @ 10:09am
formeropenside said | December 20th 2011 @ 10:09am | Report comment

I think he should be dropped. I dont rate him.

Citing Steve Waugh is a bit disingenous: he was originally picked as an allrounder, batted no.8, and took a Test 5-for before his first ton. He really only became a recognised batsman in his own right after the 1989 Ashes tour (and then was dropped – as a batsman – for his own brother just a year or so later).

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- December 20th 2011 @ 10:21am
  Red Kev said | December 20th 2011 @ 10:21am | Report comment
  
  See I told you all there were people like this around!
  If you don’t like the Steve Waugh example then focus on Kallis, Laxman, Langer and Martyn – all worse than Khawaja at the same point in their test careers. You’ve offered a very weak counter-argument.
  
  So who do you rate FOS? Who has a better and more consistent record?
  
  Just FYI – Usman Khawaja’s record:
  Career First Class Average (includes tests, tour matches, and county and shield cricket): 45.15
  Shield 2011/12: 125 runs at 62.50 in 1 match
  Shield 2010/11: 613 runs at 63.10 in 7 matches
  Shield 2009/10: 698 runs at 63.45 in 7 matches
  Shield 2008/09: (debut season) 525 runs at 47.72 in 8 matches
  
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  - December 20th 2011 @ 10:55am
    formeropenside said | December 20th 2011 @ 10:55am | Report comment
    
    If all you have is appeal to statistical authority, I’m sure I can also find a lot – more than 4 – players with records about the same as Khawaja after 6 Tests who didn’t play any more than 6 Tests, or who played more and never shone, or a whole bunch of other stuff.
    
    Martyn, you will recall, had a large gap in the middle of his Test career after a poor start. Seeing as I dont care about Saffa or Indian cricket, I cant give any details about Kallis or Laxman. Langer started his Test career against the Windies in 92/93: you cant compare that to anything current nowadays, Steyn and Philander notwithstanding.
    
    As to who takes his spot – Watson has to come back, doesn’t he, and isn’t Marsh nearly fit? Its pretty clear Hussey and Ponting are not going to be cut: I’d axe Ponting if it was up to me, but then I would have some time ago.
    
    I have an opinion, you have yours, and I dont think either of us is going to change the others mind.
    
    Reply
    - December 20th 2011 @ 12:23pm
      Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
      
      Yes, who do you rate? What would be your top six for Boxing Day?
      
      Reply
    - December 20th 2011 @ 1:38pm
      Bearfax said | December 20th 2011 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
      
      Statistical authority is how players are usually chosen for higher honours. However yes Khawaja might fall in a hole and be not seen again. I doubt it but its a possibility. But with a record like his at first class level (over 46), I think the likelihood of him succeeding is much stronger than two batsmen in Marsh and Cowen who have averages far lower, and it should be noted he is younger than the other two and still developing. Sure form counts and Marsh and Cowen have done well recently. But statistics usually determine potential and consequently the long term solution is more likely (but yes not definitely) to be Khawaja.
      
      Of course if you would like to determine the likelihood of a players long term success on measures other than statistical evidence, such as tea leaves, crystal balls or a couple of recent good batting performances, who am I to challenge that right.
      
      Reply
    - December 20th 2011 @ 2:37pm
      Justin said | December 20th 2011 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
      
      So he has excellent technique and temperament and has also been just about the only batsmen to have a fantastic Shield record over and extended period of time recently.
      
      What else do you want FOS?
      
      All you have given is a nothing statement that you dont rate him yet others have provided very solid supporting evidence as to why he should.
      
      Other than “I dont rate him” to which I am sure Usi would be just shattered, on what criteria is he not up to test standard?
      
      Reply
    - December 21st 2011 @ 12:21am
      AndyMack said | December 21st 2011 @ 12:21am | Report comment
      
      “Langer started his Test career against the Windies in 92/93″.
      
      I recall that. He played 1 (maybe 2…) tests in that series, your comment is a bit mischeivious as it tends to imply he played a full series against them and therefore he had a tougher road that Khawaja.
      
      I think the authors original point stands. 6 tests is too soon to judge if a guy will be a dud or a great (or most commonly, somewhere in between).
      
      Reply
  - December 20th 2011 @ 12:27pm
    Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
    
    Clearly the stand-out batsman at first-class level and should’ve played during 2009 in England, India and the Ashes – he could surely not have done worse than most of the batsmen who did. Perhaps, he’d even be established by now.
    
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    - December 20th 2011 @ 12:37pm
      jameswm said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
      
      Khawaja has overall been clearly our best Shield batsman for 3-4 seasons. He’s earned his shot and needs to be given a go. Some people step to the next level up and perform straight away, some take time to get comfortable at that next level but once comfortable, perform consistently. maybe Khawaja’s in the latter category, but Punter running him out sure didn’t help.
      
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      - December 20th 2011 @ 3:20pm
        Gordon Smith said | December 20th 2011 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
        
        Clearly our best shield batsmen for 3-4 seasons.
        Dont have stats in front of me but Klinger might disagree.
        
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        December 20th 2011 @ 4:49pm
        jameswm said | December 20th 2011 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
        
        I do have the stats and Klinger averaged in the mid-20s in 2010-11. He had a good year before that, the equal of Khawaja.
        
        Khawaja has averaged something like 60+ for 3-4 Shield seasons.
December 20th 2011 @ 10:24am
jameswm said | December 20th 2011 @ 10:24am | Report comment

I watched Inside cricket and the “selectors” on the couches there dropped Khawaja, and kept Ponting. One of them dropped Hussey instead.

I just can’t see a reason for keeping Ponting. Arguments from the Inside Cricket panel included that the Indian bowlers weren’t as good as NZ’s, the pitches were flatter and it was a chance for POnting to find some runs and play himself back into form.

There are two serious flaws in this:

1. most obviously, if this is true, why not use the weaker bowlers and easier conditions as a chance to kick-start Khawaja’s career (or Cowan’s or Christian’s), and give him a boost of confidence? And then what’s the point of Ponting finding form anyway? So he can score runs for maybe 6 months, before the inevitable further decline, and then 6 months later we have the same debate about when to drop him? How much time do we give him next time to find form?

3. after 2 years of no runs and an average over 33 in one of his last 7 series, why should Ponting be given so much time to find form? Why should we treat the India series as a chance for one of our batsmen to play himself into form? What about picking our best team and winning? Yes, he is one of our all time greats, but sorry, there is no place for sentiment when picking a team. I think any of Cowan, Khawaja, Marsh and even Christian are in better form than Ponting right now and this series would be a chance for them to find their feet in the test arena.

Can anyone give me a valid reason why Ponting should be retained ahead of Khawaja, Marsh or Cowan?

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- December 20th 2011 @ 12:30pm
  Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
  
  All the reasons would be sentimental rubbish to the detriment of the strength of the team.
  
  After his three failures in South Africa, the similar line was that the NZ bowlers were weak.
  
  Ponting is a complete joke, but his sycophants don’t seem to grasp the punchline.
  
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  - December 20th 2011 @ 12:35pm
    jameswm said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
    
    And every ex-player “expert” toes the line.
    
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- December 20th 2011 @ 12:47pm
  dc said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
  
  Punter is too greedy for the cash to even worry about creating a permanent stain on his reputation. That’s why I rate Damien Martyn. He called time on this career because he believed he could no longer contribute his best to the team. Ricky will be exited kicking and dragging and screaming with his fingers scratching into the door. The cricket tragics will mark him down in the history books. Bit like Gregan.
  
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  - December 20th 2011 @ 12:49pm
    Fisher Price said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
    
    Martyn was class. Very underrated.
    
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- December 20th 2011 @ 4:40pm
  lolly said | December 20th 2011 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
  
  There isn’t any sense to it. But so few of the recent ex-players exhibit much in the way of brains when talking about Punter. It’s like they are all involved in a cult of personality which has no place in the selection of an international team. There is nothing for the Aus team to gain as you said about letting him find form for an inevitably short period of time, then having this pointless stuff played out again next summer or during the next Ashes.
  
  It will get very grisly if it drags on for longer. Having said that, the Indian seamers may just give him a lot of assistance in prolonging his career, apart from Zak they seem a pretty mediocre bunch.
  
  Reply
December 20th 2011 @ 10:25am
Chris said | December 20th 2011 @ 10:25am | Report comment

I think there are quite a few young players who will develop nicely over the next couple of years. But what they really need is the support of the selectors. That’s why it was so disappointing for Clarke to come out and pretty much say Hughes will be dropped, but came out and waxed lyrical about how valuable Ponting is. Young players with talent who are going through a rough trot need the support of their seniors.

There is no logical reason to drop Khawaja at the moment. None.

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December 20th 2011 @ 12:54pm
The Barry said | December 20th 2011 @ 12:54pm | Report comment

I’ve said this before but I’ll give it one more crack :

I think Khawaja should be given a chance at 5 or 6 to build his international career before being thrown into the pressure cooker (and hardest batting spot) at No 3.

I’ve rarely seen a youngster come into a test side at 3, normally they bat down the order and work their way up. Ponting had about 3 seasons at 6 before moving up the order. Kallis batted at 6 for a long time, Martyn started there, not sure about Laxman. Waugh started well down the order, a big chunk of his career was at 6, one season at 3 before settling in at 5. Langer got thrown in at No 3 from memory and got battered by the Windies pace attack, setting his career back 8 years.

If there is any benefit of Pontins experience (I think he should be dropped) it’s that he’s been a long term No.3. The fact that he needs to be protected at 4 by a 22 year old with 6 tests to his name says it all really.

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December 20th 2011 @ 3:19pm
Rhys said | December 20th 2011 @ 3:19pm | Report comment

And on a marginally related topic, I wonder how much fun the older kiddies are having at batting camp. I’m sure their form against the bowling machine is outstanding as usual.

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