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A scan today on Usman Khawaja’s hamstring will decide if the very talented and in-form left-hander will be fit enough for the historic pink-ball-day-night Test in Adelaide in 12 days against New Zealand.
Khawaja doesn’t deserve another setback.
Throughout his chequered career, he’s had to battle selectors and injuries.
When Khawaja made his Test debut against England at the SCG in January 2011, the future loomed bright for the then 25-year-old.
Six Tests later after playing against Sri Lanka and South Africa away and New Zealand at home, the national selectors dumped Khawaja for the first time.
Two years later Khawaja was resurrected for three Tests against England, and picked for that infamous Indian tour where he was a glorified drinks waiter, and one of Mickey Arthur’s victims of the homework-gate suspensions.
Dumped again, Khawaja missed most of last Sheffield Shield season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury that threatened his career.
And last month Khawaja tweaked his hamstring in a Queensland sprint session that very nearly blew his chances of being resurrected again.
Thankfully the selectors ticked Khawaja’s resurrection box and the results have been right off the top shelf with a maiden Test ton 174, 9*, and 121 for a series average of 152.
And now this rotten luck hamstring.
If Khawaja’s ruled out, Shaun Marsh and Cameron Bancroft move into the frame as replacements. But there’s a far bigger decision to be made – where does the skipper Steve Smith bat?
He’s been sensational at three, but in a typically unselfish act he moved to four to accommodate Khawaja.
Great for Khawaja, but not too crash-hot for Smith who has scored 48, 1, and 27 after waiting with his pads on for hour after hour watching David Warner and Khawaja pile on the runs.
So that begs the question should Steve Smith bat three or four?
Strangely enough, Smith is so talented he can bat anywhere.
Batting three – seven Tests, highest score 215 with 791 runs at 71.90 including three centuries and two half-centuries.
Batting four – six Tests, highest score 192 with 636 runs at 63.60, including three centuries, and a half-century.
Batting five – 15 Tests, highest score 162* with 1198 runs at 66.55, including four centuries and six half-centuries.
Batting six – 11 Tests, highest score 100 with 325 runs at 25.00 with one century, and one half-century.
Batting seven – two Tests, highest score 54* with 121 runs at 60.50 including one half-century.
Batting eight/nine – three Tests, highest score 77 with 100 runs at 25.00 including one half-century.
But Steve Smith’s an action man, so batting three would be in Australia’s best interests if Khawaja’s ruled out.
If Khawaja plays in Adelaide, the skipper’s unselfish decision will have to stick – Khawaja three, Smith four.