Cricket Australia has once again denied Usman Khawaja any chance to play for his country or even press for selection.
After facing only 293 deliveries in two months of nothing but limited overs (one-day or T20) cricket during the main part of summer (between December 8 and February 8), and playing just two warm-up games (facing 192 match deliveries over the course of one 2-day and one 3-day game) over the course of a six week tour of India, selectors have decided to omit the left-hander.
Questions now have to be asked about the treatment of this man.
I cannot believe the lack of justification that is being allowed to slide from the spin merchants Clarke, Arthur and Inverarity over this matter.
Why was Khawaja even taken on tour if the selectors had no intention of ever playing a real cricket team (ie one with six batsmen in it)?
It can’t have been as a reserve batsman, they didn’t take a reserve wicket-keeper and when they needed one they just flew Haddin over from Australia. The same could be done with a batsman.
Why has Khawaja been denied to chance to play in the remaining four Sheffield Shield games of the regular season for Queensland?
Why was he denied the chance to play in the final that started this afternoon if he was not to play a Test in India?
If the selectors still have concerns over Khawaja’s game why not tell him what they are and let him work on them in the first-class arena in Australia?
All they have done is denied him any opportunity to show form or improvement.
That is ten innings that Khawaja has not been given the chance to play and maintain form and show his worth for the Ashes.
Why has every player on tour (except for Jackson Bird, who flew home injured) played in a Test match? This is vindictive discrimination, pure and simple.
Why has Australia played five Tests in a row with only five batsmen? All-rounders offer no benefit unless they hold their spot as a batsman or bowler alone. Watson, Henriques and Maxwell do neither.
How are players like Watson, Henriques, Maxwell and Smith afforded games ahead Khawaja? These are inferior players, with worse records and in worse form.
Maxwell and Henriques have one first-class hundred each to their name across their entire careers.
How does one innings from Phil Hughes demand his retention?
He is six Tests into his comeback and is averaging 29, lest we forget six Tests at 29 is the record that got Khawaja dropped (actually it was three tests at 29, twice).
How does two years averaging 25 allow Watson to waltz back into the side at will?
Why are three of the four players who were disciplined in Mohali playing in the fourth Test but Usman Khawaja is so conspicuously punished further?
More importantly why is no-one in the press asking about the hypocrisy and favouritism that is clearly evident in the Australian cricket team?
M.R. Somasunderam
Guest
How can you state this because none of Australian batsmen apart from Clark play spin bowling well. Based on this fact, as Khawaja at least does play spin bowling much better than Hughes for example. Therefore as he was chosen as a specialist batsman on this tour of India, he should have been selected for the last Test Match to see what he was made of. Otherwise he should not have been selected as a specialist Australian batsman by the Australian cricket selectors in the first place. In conclusion, I hope other subjective factors did not into play when deciding to play him or otherwise. This is my frank and candid opinion.
M.R. Somasunderam
Guest
John, I cannot agree with your comments more. I think this young man must think of another country, if he wishes to have a successful Test Match and International career in cricket. Otherwise he will fall by the way side, as it will take an emotional toll on him personally. This is what I believe will take place, unless Khawaja understands this fact or if he personally wants to focus more on his flying career than playing international cricket. It is all up to him in regard to choice, because he must realize what the writing is on the wall.
TedS
Guest
Fire Arthur now. Call your local government rep.
Stephen
Guest
How does boof sound for coach
Stephen
Guest
Vivek spot on mate
Stephen
Guest
+1
Stephen
Guest
That's perhaps the most frustrating aspect, the guys picked ahead of them don't deserve it
Stephen
Guest
You don't have to be 12 to enjoy them, try them you will like them
Stephen
Guest
Don't agree, i still love the cricket games around, they have never been better
Stephen
Guest
+2
Stephen
Guest
+1
Stephen
Guest
No way, he will play for us, perhaps the guy on the457 visa coaching us needs to leave, not Khawaja
Stephen
Guest
He is the product of our system, goes for the Raiders in league, Swans in AFL and will play for us and no one else. We can't lose good batsman because a South African does not like him.
Deep Thinker
Guest
Fine - I agree selectors have a lot to answer for. But this article is not just about the selectors. It is clear advocacy for Khawaja - that he has been hard done by not getting a test. "This is vindictive discrimination, pure and simple." - your words, not mine. If Steve Smith didn't play, would you have written the same article? Shaun Marsh does have talent - bucket loads of it - but has failed to runs. As I said, shouldn't be picked. Not worth discussing this any further. The other thing - you've contradicted yourself. Now if I am "confusing ODI capabilty with Test Match suitability" (which I can't see how because I have only been talking about FC performance), why did you almost immediately follow that up with "Quite importantly his average is 40 across all forms of cricket this summer". So you are saying he should be picked based on T20 and ODI form? I disagree that Khawaja has been consistent - 1 out of 4 FC seasons averaging less than 40 is hardly a mark of consistency. In response to your last comment - he is a backup batsman. That is why he is on the tour. He wouldn't be the first not to have played a test despite being in a touring squad. If he wasn't picked for the squad, I bet people would be saying the selectors were at fault for not picking him.
John Philipson
Guest
Lets not forget that Mike Hussey himself came out and publicly said that Khawaja was the right person to come in and replace him...
Al thor
Guest
It's obvious at this point that arthur and clarke for whatever reason simply do not like khawaja. Getting dropped after one odi game after an unfortunate run out was just the confirmation for me at that point. The problem in all this why pick khawaja when you are not even going to give this guy a chance. Infact why deny him playing in the sheffield shield finals instead of carrying drinks? Nice way to crush the spirit and confidence of a young batsman. Usman khawaja should just turn his back on australian cricket and play elsewhere as clarke and arthur will play lesser bastman before him
TedS
Guest
Someone pointed out that there is a qualification period of 4 years for one to do that. Khawaja can do it, he's only 25. I would like to see him play for England though.
Rabbits
Guest
Fellas, If was Usman, I would step away from Australian cricket altogether and go play cricket somewhere else. he would be appreciated in NZ, for sure!
Rabbits
Guest
Ok, fair enough Vivek. but why pick him at all? Shouldn't the selectors wait until he reaches their desired standard before picking him. What good has it done UK to be brought to India and not played a single Test? Why did they bring him at all? Where is the logic in that?
Praveen
Guest
You are correct, majority of selectors like him, Arthur picks the team and hd is not fair to him