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Usman Khawaja has always been somewhat of an enigma within Australian cricket.
He is blessed with an array of aesthetically pleasing shots, immaculate timing and a rather curious, West Indian-style flair. However his journey back to Test cricket has been one of frustration, and one senses he has a point to prove.
Khawaja had showed immense promise from his grade cricket days at Sydney club, Randwick-Petersham, a breeding ground for past and present NSW and Australian cricketers. His outstanding form and hunger for runs propelled him into the NSW state side, and with the untimely death of Phillip Hughes he begun to cement his reputation as a future star and one destined for higher honours.
Khawaja’s early introduction into Test cricket was one of underwhelming form and questionable footwork. He had detractors consistently questioning his work ethic, hunger and willingness to adapt.
As with any batsmen, no matter the talent or promise, runs will always be the currency of continued success and selection within any Test side. Khawaja with all his flair and time at the crease struggled to convert starts, seemed lazy running between the wickets and became highly susceptible to the moving ball.
These are all attributes not belonging to a long-term Australian No.3.
With Khawaja being seemingly unable to make a score of note at Test level, passing 50 only once in his first 10 Test innings, his demise seemed imminent and the vultures began to circle.
With Khawaja being dropped seemingly for good after another underwhelming performance during an away Ashes series in England it seemed that he was nothing more than a state cricketer lacking the patience, resolve and mettle to sustain a lengthy career in Test ranks.
Khawaja’s eventual rise and return back to the Test fold began with a move from New South Wales to Queensland under the tutelage of then Queensland coach Darren Lehmann. Khawaja sighted the move due to a lack of opportunity and one of new beginnings.
With a new beginning, Khawaja seemed a different cricketer, showing consistent improvement and work ethic, both in the proceeding Sheffield Shield and One Day Domestic competitions. Playing outside of the fishbowl that is NSW cricket, Khawaja could play his natural game, work on his technique and begin to rebuild and reload for another international opportunity.
His selection in the Test squad for this summer was hardly a surprise. The Australian selectors have always had somewhat of a soft spot for the stylish Khawaja, his preceding form for Queensland and Australia A was patchy at best, but one sensed he deserved another chance.
Khawaja’s return to the Test side for the first fixture of the summer showcased what someone can achieve with hard work, patience and confidence in one’s ability, something Khawaja was seemingly lacking in his first taste of Australian cricket.
In his first Test innings in 18 months, Khawaja had a point to prove, plundering 174 against a quality, if not a tad wayward, New Zealand attack. Playing all of his trademark silky shots and with exquisite timing, it was a joy to watch and one sensed he now belonged at international level, had learnt from his earlier flaws and had the will to succeed.
Khawaja’s evolution into a Test player of merit has been extraordinary, not so much in the sense of his undeniable talent, but the patience, resolve and mettle he has shown upon his return to the Test fold. These qualities are one of a batsman comfortable with his own game and one that has earnt his place in the Australian Team for many summers to come.
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