To everyone but selectors, Usman Khawaja is the hottest batsman in the world in two formats.
But in the space of 12 hours, the national selectors left Khawaja out of the 14-strong Australian squad for the ODIs next month against New Zealand, and Big Bash League selectors ignored him in naming their tournament combined side.
Let’s look at the cold hard facts.
This summer, Khawaja has scored 174, 9*, 121, 144, and 56 for Australia in Tests against New Zealand and the West Indies – 504 runs at 126.
Khawaja played just four games for the Sydney Thunder in their BBL winning side – 109*, 62, 104*, and 70. That’s 345 runs at 172.50, with a strike rate of 163.50.
Just for interest, combining the two formats – Khawaja’s scored 849 runs this summer at 141.50.
And yet he can’t get into two representative sides?
Fox Sports has asked their viewers whether Khawaja had done enough to warrant ODI selection.
The reaction was almost unanimous – 98 per cent with more than 7000 voters at the time of writing.
National selection chairman Rod Marsh was unusually flippant in his explanation of why Khawaja missed out.
“We tried our hardest to get him [Khawaja] in the side, but we couldn’t drop batsmen from a side that has just beaten India 4-1,” he said.
“It’s very disappointing for him. He probably should make a phone call to Shaun Marsh and ask him how he felt after being dropped after scoring 182.”
That was the chairman’s explanation about Marsh being dropped from the Test side to accommodate Khawaja’s return from injury.
Khawaja celebrated by scoring another century, the correct decision was made.
But leaving Khawaja out of the Australian ODI squad for New Zealand is a blatantly bad decision.
More Marsh-isms trying to explain away the unexplainable.
He reckons Australia’s Test chances against New Zealand will be better served by Khawaja playing red-ball Sheffield Shield for Queensland against South Australia in Adelaide at the same time as the Australians will be playing the first two ODIs at Eden Park, and the Basin Reserve.
Bollocks, Rodney.
You have always contended that runs were any batsman’s criteria for selection, and by not naming Khawaja you have totally ignored your own high standards.
We’ll never know, but how did the other three selectors vote on Khawaja?
Mark Waugh is the ‘Governor’ of the Sydney Thunder, and he reckoned during Channel Ten’s BBL commentary Khawaja was batting better than his idol Brian Lara.
Coach Darren Lehmann is also a selector but was hospitalised with DVT. Did he vote over the phone?
And the fourth selector Trevor Hohns wasn’t known as ‘Hatchet’ Hohns for nothing during his previous stint as national selection chairman
It doesn’t matter which way cricket fans look at Khawaja’s omission, it doesn’t pass the smell test.
As for Khawaja missing out on the Big Bash 05 combined team, there’s even fewer excuses.
The unknown selectors picked West Indian Chris Gayle (Renegades) and Englishman Luke Wright (Stars) as the combined opening batsmen.
Gayle – 262 runs at 32.50 – strike rate 155.08.
Wright – 250 at 41.66 – 137.36.
Khawaja – 345 at 172.50 – 163.50.
How could this possibly be the outcome?
Don Freo
Guest
After Gilly's first game, was he called The Saviour, The Architect or just a genius?
Don Freo
Guest
I got the spelling right because of that great West Australian offie, Brett Mulder.
AlanKC
Guest
Hohns was certainly known as that in Queensland Don, at least until after Gilly's first bat...
AlanKC
Guest
You could have successfully placed the fullstop after slow, Brett.
AlanKC
Guest
He can't spell either Don.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Selections have long been based on friendship in the team as well. If he isn't good mates with another influential player, he won't get in. The selectors need a clean out if you ask me.
Joey
Guest
Khawaja needs to be selected and also Wade needs to get dropped. Don't know why they favour him so much. Bring in Tim Paine. Bowlers need to step up. Can't just rely on our batsmen!
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Good grief. The circlejerk around Khawaja on this forum is creepy.
spruce moose
Guest
Partially true...However in recent times I've softened my stance on him. Runs are the ultimate currency for a batsman and he had been scoring them at test level recently. I'm on record as saying that while it was the right decision to drop him, he was desperately unlucky.
Bearfax
Guest
We didnt have a good start against the Indians did we. Only Finch made an impression.
Bearfax
Guest
Fair enough Tana. You've obviously seen things in his play I havent watched. Issue is though, despite this apparent weakness, he blitzed every other player in T20 comp...other than perhaps Khawaja who played fewer games and Head did pretty well also. So the weakness didnt inhibit him in making most other batsmen look pretty average.
Bob
Guest
Err shouldn't we picking our best players of spin? Handscombe is outstanding at picking the spinners and George Bailey is pretty good as well. I agree Watson is better than Warner and Finch on slow wickets. Brad Hodge might be handy as well.
Mark
Guest
Kane Williamson
Samtwocan
Guest
I'm afraid that must be your logic , as the debate wasn't discussing multiple options for multiple sides , so take another pill Tana
Ami
Guest
Even though I am a NZ fan and he was a part of pounding us into submission recently, I'm actually really happy for Khawaja. I've always thought he looked like test quality and I remember reading something a couple of years ago that his first nine tests were over something like 5 series. It seemed like he was never getting a sustained chance from the Aussie selectors. He's taken his chances now and looks set for a long spell in the team. His form recently has been frightening for a fan of a team about to play against him, quite astonishing really. Would be very surprising if he is not in all the formats for Australia very soon otherwise send him down to NZ
Ami
Guest
Punter called him the best batsman in the country, mark waugh compared him to lara, its time to get him in. Rod Marsh wants Khawaja fresh and hungry for WC T20 while keeping Shaun Marsh ticking. Shaun needs the time to get confident as he's a bit 'sensitive' as we know. Khawaja MUST BE our first drop Test batsman for possibly five or six years and good for two Ashes series at very least ! Selectors maybe want to hone his staying powers in the long game. That's reason enough to keep his shield games going. Reckon CA would wet themselves if he keeps at even half his efforts. Gotta keep him shiny but seriously get him in all fomats as he is a number 3 for all formats for us. Lovely lovely batsman ala Damien Martyn Junior etc We just need Faulkner to get pass hit and giggles. Good team on paper. Once we have the three young quicks mature a bit more Starc, Patto and Cummins.....sweet molly ! 3 different styles at 150 kph plus ! Brown cricket pants ! LOL
Ami
Guest
Lets be honest, anyone still not convinced with khawaja has something against him, he is the best batsman after Smith in the country. Silly to leave out Usman Khawaja out of the T20 Squad playing the 3 T20s against India. It would be valuable practice ahead of the World T20 Cup in a short time.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Don/Bearfax, I've been watching him play in IPL, he struggled to dominate quality spin, absolutely smashed the fast men, and that was the reason he could not be a regular for KKR. But a guy with his quality, I'm betting he will improve fast like Khawaja has. His time will come.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Amith, your comment about playing for Pakistan is way off mark. Knowing khawaja a little, no way in world is he giving up baggy green for any riches.
Bearfax
Guest
I'm with you on this one Don. I think its another of these media beat ups where if you say someone has a problem in a certain area often enough, it sticks whether its true or not. Hitler once mentioned this as a means of making misinformation seem real to the public. Just say it often enough and people believe it.