Usman Khawaja doesn’t know why.
And he doesn’t know for how long.
He’s just grateful he’s in the form of his life.
“There’s a lot of hundreds in the space of three months,” he said after smacking an unbeaten century to steer Sydney Thunder into their first Big Bash League final.
Khawaja’s regal 104, from just 59 balls, destroyed the Adelaide Strikers in the Thunder’s eight-wicket BBL semi-final win at Adelaide Oval.
The Thunder will next meet the winner of Friday night’s semi between Melbourne Stars and the reigning champs, Perth Scorchers.
No matter the opponent, Khawaja wants to let the good times roll.
He’s now struck two centuries in this BBL edition.
they follow a Test hundred, and a half-century, against West Indies in a series when he averaged exactly 100.
Which followed two Test tons against New Zealand in a series when he averaged 152.
Why now? Why is it all clicking?
“I can’t say why,” Khawaja said.
“You get into a space where you’re feeling really good and you score runs and the rub of the green comes your way a little bit.”
So how long can it continue?
“I don’t know. I’m not a fortune teller,” he said.
“When you’re playing well … you try to make as many runs as you can for your team because there will be times when I don’t make runs.
“You can’t score runs every time you go out there. I’m just really grateful I am at the moment.”
Grateful. And relaxed. Cricket is now just a game, not a job, for the 29-year-old.
“I never want to put too much pressure on myself or take the game too seriously,” Khawaja said.
“I just don’t do it anymore. I go out there and have fun.
“Even before I bat I’m jumping around, I’m not really serious. And that is the only way I can enjoy my cricket.”
But he’s serious about one thing.
Admitting disappointment at being overlooked for Australia’s looming T20 series against India, he hopes his short-form feats change the perception of him as a long-form specialist.
“I have had pretty good white ball form over the last three or four years,” he said.
“I didn’t play last BBL because of my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery). But the BBL before, I think I averaged over 50 with a strikerate of 130 or something.
“So it hasn’t come out of nowhere. People just don’t remember it.”
Rob Tea
Guest
I feel for ya m8. I'm scratching my head in shock and disbelief hearing that u were over looked from your outrages performance. Warner is great. But you have class. The selectors should rethink.
The Bush
Roar Guru
You could probably train anyone in that side up to Wade's keeping level in a weekend.
Andrew
Guest
I think we will find that finch will lose his captaincy after the world cup with smith rightfully captain in all formats and Khawaja opening with Warner in T20s, finch doesn't even have a IPL club anymore as his form there in India has been terrible
Andrew
Guest
I couldn't believe when I read Khawaja is averaging 275, it's absurd that he is not playing in the T20 and ODI side
ajay
Guest
Bailey or khawaja out lynn in than I agree!
Internal Fixation
Guest
That's why BBL can't be taken too seriously. I'm a bit disappointed they lost but over it already. When you lose your best bowler and they gain their best batsman due to concurrent international duties it doesn't help but emphasizes that the BbL is really just a bit of fun.
My2cents
Guest
Yes. I would. Then again I'd have a completely different team. Openers Watson, Khawaja, MMarsh, Smith, Lynn, Maxwell, Neville, Faulkner, zampa/boyce, another fast bowler and Lyon
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
STOP USING MY NAME!!!!!
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
WHO ARE YOU AND WHY HAVE YOU STOLEN MY NAME!!!!!!!
Steve
Guest
This team when fully fit Warner Finch Khawaja Smith Bailey Maxwell Faulkner Wade(or anyone else atm) Hastings Starc Hazlewood droooollll
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Finch was made captain before the rise of Smith. Give Smithy the captaincy and Usman to open with Warner.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Ronan, Finch's record in India is poor. He has been a dud in IPL. He has scored 250 runs in Big Bah. Usman outscored him in just 3 innings. Stats can be misleading. Get the better batsman in, simple really.
Jarijari
Guest
Tough one. For the World T20 I'd go something like this Finch Khawaja Faulkner Smith (c) Lynn Maxwell Paine Hastings Richardson Tye Lyon
Prosenjit
Guest
He's keeping finch under pressure and we could see finch's knock the last game.one of the best of his career.
Nudge
Guest
When you produce those stats Ronan its bizarre indeed. Think Red Kev has nailed it above
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
So you think that, just weeks before the T20 World Cup, Australia should drop their captain, who Is the number 1 ranked T20 batsman in the world, averages 40 with the bat in international T20s, made 250 runs at 50 in the Big Bash, and is averaging 52 in the current ODIs against India? That's bizarre thinking.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Why don't we drop Mitchell Marsh and stop playing 6 bowlers. Glenn Maxwell to bowl 10 overs, hell, even finch can sneak a cheeky over in here or there. Finch, Warner, Kwajaha, Smith, Bailey, Maxwell, anyone-but-Wade, Faulkner, Lyon Hazlewood, Pattinson
fp11
Guest
THIS!!!
Amitabh
Guest
Khawaja has to be in the T20 World Cup squad at the very least
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Ahhh.... the pleasure I get seeing khawaja dominated and smash spinners, which I thought previously was his achillies heal. He has always been wonderful against fast bowlers. He now is a complete batsman! Get him in and watch poetry in motion!