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.
Amith
Guest
Thanks Craig, yes great signs
Anwar
Guest
Boof has been a wonderful coach and knows now to bring the best out of his players such as Khawaja, smith, Warner and others
Steve Mcglashan
Guest
Khawaja does have a good technique and has the tools to be a good test cricketer. The opposition this summer has been weak so the big test for him will be when he plays south Africa and England. Still he's not loose like some of the batsman going around
Charles Plowdog
Guest
Very good. A+
Khawarmy Khawarmy
Roar Pro
The Khawarmy always knew this day would come! Usmania starting to grip the Australian Cricketing Landscape! CA now want Uz to be the face of the game! Just results for a tough period where he's been to hell and back! Keep the runs flow Uzzi! And enjoy the ride, the Khawarmy will be there all the way.
AREH
Roar Guru
Good piece...with still several years left for him as a test player and proving to be more mature and consistent in the last year or two holds him in excellent shape at present. Oh and the flow of runs recently has not done him any harm either.
Jameswm
Guest
He didn't make them pick him. What I'm saying is that often when you get dropped, you have to go away, work harder, and want it more. It's worked fine for Steve Waugh, Langer, Hayden and others.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Jameswm, Khawaja was too good to be dropped/treated the way he was after the Hobart test. He could have gotten better by staying with the team and improve in those areas you mention. Guys like Khawaja should play 100 Tests for their county, he has the game for it. Here is hoping he gets close to that 100 Test mark.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Only if Lehman was hired instead of Arthur. I'm a big Khawaja fan, but his running between the wickets in the past has been terrible. Also his game against spin bowling has improved. None of this deserved being dropped though, just better coaching and little love.
Jameswm
Guest
He might be a better batsman now because of it though. Worked harder on his technique, re-thought how to bat, got fitter, hungrier for runs etc.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Amith.This will add strength to your statement about kids with sub continental backgrounds wearing the baggy green Overnite an Aussie born kid of Indian heritage by the name of Jason Sangha hit a sublime century for our U19s in Dubai. Jason is only 16, a Newcastle schoolboy and was was the stand out at the 16 years nationals last year. But to be picked in the Under19s at just 16 years is a rare feat. This kid is special.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Yes Ussy is no overnite success story. I first saw him as a 20 year old when he opened for a Blues second X! game way back. I thought he had something special then. But he has proved that the road to success is not always an easy one. Love the way he has fought thru being dropped from the test squad, not once, but twice. Shows great character.
Offsideman
Roar Rookie
Well said Ppv. Here's what you get when you give them a prolonged go and does of confidence. He'll be in the top 5 best batsmen in the world in a year and a half.
Bearfax
Guest
He always had the talent. He just needed the self belief...and perhaps the belief of those coaching him. I think he's finally turned the corner.
Vatsal
Guest
My teenagers are also using guys like Khawaja and Lisa as examples, this guy is a world class batsman
Amith
Guest
He is great example for all in sub continent community and my kids all try to mimik him in the backyard as they like alot of other Indian born kids in Aus now also believe they can one day get the baggy green
Amith
Guest
Yeah i agree pope, the arthur era nearly destroyed this talented cricketer but under Lehman and Smith he has come back strongy and looks fantastic.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
He's the same cricketer. The Argus Report/Invers/Arthur/Clarke regime nearly destroyed him that's all. The dropping after the Hobart Test 2011 was beyond stupid. Marsh was in no shape to be recalled. The alleged attitude and fielding issues were a poor justification.. And the escapegoating of Khawaja and Hughes post ashes 2013 also was shortsighted. Cowan, Quiney, Doolan and Bailey have got stories to tell the grand kiddies but it was poor strategy and development.
Andy
Guest
He has worked hard and it's paying off for him, fantastic player and he keeps improving everytime I see him bar and play. Smith and Warner have bought the best out of him and boof is the perfect coach to I still Self belief in him and for the first time selectors are doing a good job not playing with his confidence but giving him a real chance, have loved watching him this summer and he is a great role model For all people
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
The test Khawaja played against Kiwis (Brisbane, 2011), he looked sublime, outscoring and outclassing Punter in that little innings, until his lack of urgency in running cost him his wicket. I wonder had he scored 100 that day by not running himself out, which he looked like scoring, the butterfly effect that could have resulted in.