When the national selectors dropped Usman Khawaja from the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, they unknowingly triggered a new-look leftie.
He had scored 613 runs in the Australian summer to average 87.57 with four Test tons and a half-century.
In Sri Lanka, in his next two Tests, he managed only 55 runs to average 13.75 and he was dumped to continue a history of being out of favour with four ‘wise’ men
Reinstated for South Africa at home, he’s scored 307 runs at 76.75 and all things being equal he’ll become the 11th Australian opening batsman among 52 worldwide if he carries his bat in Adelaide today.
Jack Barrett was the first baggy green to achieve the feat at Lord’s in 1890.
He was followed by Warwick Armstrong (1902), Warren Bardsley (1926), Bill Woodfull in 1928 and 1933, Bill Brown (1938), Bill Lawry in 1969 and 1971, Ian Redpath (1974), David Boon (1986), Mark Taylor (1998). Simon Katich (2008), and current teammate David Warner in 2011.
An illustrious list for Khawaja to join as Australia’s premier Test batsman adding to his overnight score of 138* off 285 deliveries.
Khawaja has been on the field for every minute of this Adelaide Test, underlining his endurance and immense powers of concentration.
Khawaja’s feat overshadowed South African paceman Kyle Abbott’s superb bowling of 3-38 off 25, and Peter Handscomb impressive debut with 54 off 78.
With Dale Steyn injured, Abbott has taken over as the spearhead, even though he wasn’t picked for the first Test at the WACA.
Selections?
It’s interesting how Trevor Hohns picked Matt Renshaw, Handscomb, and Nic Maddinson to make their Test debuts in Adelaide.
The top Sheffield Shield batsmen last season were:
Ben Dunk (Tasmania) with 837 runs at 46.55 with four centuries, and two half-centuries.
Travis Head (Vics) – 807 at 44.83 with 3/4.
Peter Handscomb (NSW) – 784 at 43.55 with 3/4.
George Bailey (Tasmania) – 761 at 47.56 with 3/3.
Matt Renshaw (Queensland) – 738 at 52.71 with 2/4.
Kurtis Patterson (NSW) – 737 at 52.64 with 2/4.
And down the list Nic Maddinson (NSW) – 488 at 30.50 with 1/2.
Bailey (34) is by far the most experienced international batsman on the list, while Dunk (29) and Maddinson (24) have played three and two T20s respectively with little success.
Dean (24) has played 16 games for the Vics, averaging 39, Renshaw (20) 12 for Queensland averaging 44.38, with Handscomb (25) with 61 games for the Vics, averaging 40.56
But the most impressive of the younger brigade has been 23-year-old Kurtis Patterson (The Roar 28 November 2011 titled The old and the new: Katich and Patterson shine).
Patterson became the youngest Sheffield Shield century-maker on debut with 157 against Western Australia at the SCG, the full story in the 29 November 2011 column.
In 33 games for NSW, he’s averaging 42.01 with two tons and four half-centuries – and he’s yet another leftie.
Renshaw and Handscomb deserve their Test debut, but Patterson would have been the better bet ahead of Maddinson.
Having said that, the trio deserve a pick and stick selection, with Patterson knocking on the selection door as the next cab off the rank.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Smith, then Warner, THEN khawaja, let's not get carried away, he was good against a couple of very bad teams last year and sucked in Sri Lanka but I have the feeling this innings will be the making of the man.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Buttler came in at 7, even if picked as a 'batsman' Also on Khawaja, i thought the sentence after what i stated clarified my view about it pointing to Asia, obviously not But with the India tour, i will look on to see if he is the first one you pick or if you point to his obvious deficiencies. If you do overlook him it tends to point to you questioning his all round calibre in regards to he is only a great player in 'conditions that suit' Granted, the pitches have been more test standard in this series and the RSA attack excellent. He has been very good but until he proves he can do it away from home, the asterix against his name still exist. i think he still would be road kill anywhere in Asia and I still question how he would go in England Sadly, I need to go to work :(- thanks for the chat :)
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Buttler played as a specialist batsman Tim, replacing young Duckett. England have a good stock of all-rounders but are badly lacking in specialist batsmen like Khawaja, hence why they have a guy like Moeen batting at 4 even though he only averages 33 with the bat after 35 Tests. You didn't stipulate that Khawaja wouldn't make most top sixes of teams touring "in India", you said he wouldn't make most top sixes full stop. Don't go moving those goalposts! And if you've watched the past 3 Tests you'd have noticed that the pitches have been very lively - they've supported the seamers as much as the pitches do in England so writing off Khawaja's performances because they've been at home is folly, he has flourished in difficult conditions this series against an elite pace attack.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
The point you are missing is the 'away' part Ronan File this in your memory bank, and in the lead into the India series, lets see if Khawaja is the first name you mention :) in the team Also, Buttler in the England team, batted at 7 Naturally, if all tests were played in Oceania, Khawaja would be first picked in all teams
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"As it stands, he wouldn’t get selected in most teams top 6 on the basis of his away average." That's not true at all, Khawaja would comfortably make the top 6 of every single Test team bar India. He'd make it into England's top 6 (ahead of Buttler), NZ (ahead of Nicholls), SA (ahead of Duminy), Pakistan (ahead of Azam), Sri Lanka (ahead of Kusal Perera), West Indies, Bangladesh and Zim (of course).
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
You can put whatever spin you like on the figures Alex, but I am sure you will agree, until he shows real merit away, particularly in Asia, no one will rate him. As it stands, he wouldn't get selected in most teams top 6 on the basis of his away average. Even in the upcoming India tour, a lot on here wouldn't have him in their top 6 because of his frailty against spin In large, the upcoming India series will be his 'Waterloo', If he excels, he will get real respect, but I fear he will be exposed ruthlessly against spin once more
Alex L
Roar Rookie
As I said, the number is low, obviously this does not mean zero. While it's true that his figures are more unbalanced than most, we're still at the kind of low sample size where the anomalies stand out, 30% of his away efforts were in the 2013 Ashes where ball generally dominated bat (Ian Bell averaged 62 and was something like 15 ahead of everyone from either side). Another factor is that he played more away than at home back in his failed 2011/2013 efforts (where he wasn't ready for test cricket and even his home average was mid 20s), and more at home than away in his recent more successful 2015 and beyond run (where his away average has been 37). Lets see what it looks like after some more tours and a couple of more challenging home series; I think come March 2017 that gap will have narrowed considerably.
Nudge
Guest
He said probably one in each team
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Sure Alex, but if you are touting someone as real calibre, the difference is not as stark Khawaja: Home average: 67.42 Away average 30.29 A few comparisons of similarly experienced players Bairstow: 48.17/ 40.73 Chandimal: 47.5/ 44.85 Rahane: 42.75/ 51.22 Braithwaite: 35.93/ 32.46 Khawaja's figures certainly stand out :)
Nudge
Guest
Spot on Alex. No matter what way you want to look at it the bottom line is he's averaged over 70 since he came back into the team and scored more centuries than anyone in the world. The past year to 18 months he's going as well as anyone in the world
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The number of batsmen who don't have a serious drop off in foreign conditions world wide is pretty low -- as in maybe one in each team low.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Khawaja is very like all the Aussie batsman, fine player in conditions that suit but all at sea in foreign confines How clueless he looked in SL, highlighted by him leaving an 'arm ball' and getting bowled brought back memories of Cullinan/Warne
Fox
Roar Guru
How can SA be toast when they won the series before a ball was bowled in the 3rd test - sorry who is toast? Oh sorry you mean this dead rubber game - okay then!!!
Fox
Roar Guru
Actually jamessc he is not all wrong - Khwaja only averages just over 30 away from home which is nothing to write home about but just okay and barely for a top order player - He gets most of his runs at home averaging over 60 at home So yes he needs to be a better player away from home than he is right now and I think he may struggle on Indian wickets and especially against Aswhin who is just brilliant at home with ball and will cause all sorts of problems for Australia as he does for every side that tours there and rest assured they will not prepare anything less than turners and sorry but Lyon won't trouble the Indian batters in India like Aswhin will trouble the Australian lineup And if Australia has an Achilles heel - and especially with a very inexperienced middle order in Indian conditions - it is against world class spinners on turning wickets.
Jake
Guest
David Can you stop using so many stats in your little stories as it just increases the chances of you getting stuff wrong? The only stats I checked were in fact incorrect in this story too. Pattersons conversion rate is entirely different to what you had put down. Research, research & research...........
Jake
Guest
History lesson for who? Perhaps do some research before shooting off next time?
doogs
Guest
I am sure he has had more than one good innings. 5 centuries in the last year. So yes you are correct "sometimes"
doogs
Guest
just a dumb comment.
Ozinsa
Guest
Slightly off topic but Lyon bowled beautifully today and the selectors and his captain deserve some credit for sticking with him and reaping the rewards. I'd have picked SOK for sure and that's why I manage a software company and they pick cricket teams -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Chase
Guest
Smith's average in that period is 61.89.