It is fair to say that Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja has had an unlucky run in the Australian team since the start of this year.
Khawaja who played his last Test match in early January is understandably disappointed by the way he has been treated by the Australian selectors.
Averaging almost 48 in Test cricket he was bizarrely dropped for ‘subcontinent specialist’ Shaun Marsh, who averages 36 in Test cricket.
Mitchell Marsh occupied the number six position as an ‘all-rounder’ but didn’t even bowl an over in the first Test and only bowled five in the next.
When Mitchell Marsh was injured it was expected that Khawaja would replace him but instead the selectors brought in Glenn Maxwell, another ‘all-rounder’ who was also not used much with the ball.
The selectors would pick ‘all-rounders’ to be dominant with the ball, but if they are not contributing with the ball then a batsmen needs to be picked. If one of the bowlers is tired and needs a break then Australia have Steve Smith who can hold up an end for a while.
Khawaja proved himself in the Australian summer averaging almost 53, he got two games in the one day series against Pakistan and got 30 and 9, after that he wasn’t given another opportunity.
Instead of being picked for the Chappell-Hadlee trophy in New Zealand, he was rested alongside David Warner, Steve Smith and Matthew Wade to prepare for the Test series against India. Not being allowed to prove himself in the One Day format.
He has not yet even had an opportunity to play in India in his whole career. It is outrageous for selectors to say that the 16th-ranked batsmen in the world can’t play spin, because in the Australian summer he faced one of the world’s best spinners Yasir Shah. Shah only got him out once.
Many people were baffled when recently the Champions Trophy squad was announced and Usman wasn’t in it. Aaron Finch got picked despite many inconsistent performances. It is crazy for the selectors not to give Khawaja a chance in the format.
If they are picking players based on Big Bash performances then Khawaja should be one of the first in the side. He has an average of over 31 in T20 cricket.
It disappoints many that the selectors aren’t even giving him a chance, he did nothing wrong to be dropped in the One Day and Test team, whereas both the Marshes have been in and out of the team and have not impressed in domestic cricket.
Usman has worked extremely hard on his game and he showed that by doing excellently in the Australian summer. When the Marshes get picked and do nothing to earn their spots it must be frustrating for him and for spectators to see such a good player wasted on the sideline in the orange vest running out drinks.
For the upcoming Ashes Australia must play Usman Khawaja.
Paul
Guest
Get rid of all the big heads Advertise positions available and watch them all scramble to get a position It's only a game, skills not essential to maintain life.
Ross
Guest
Disagree qwetzen, think Ron has made some great points
qwetzen
Guest
Have you lot printed the 'I'm a Usmaniac' t-shirts & caps yet? ps 'Ron'... Some bad news for you. Repeated cut'n'pasting will not make your statements true.
Amith
Guest
Khawaja averaged 66.75 in the preceding Test series against Pakistan after topping the runs list in a losing cause against South Africa.Rubbing salt into the wounds, Khawaja was left to carry the drinks during the four-Test series in India and watch his replacement Shaun Marsh manage only 151 runs at an average of 18.87 from his eight innings.
Amith
Guest
And to add to what you said Ron, the batsman who replaced khawaja averaged 18 for the series(Shaun Marsh)
Ron
Guest
Some people wrongly believe that Khawaja can’t play spin, and they use his innings in Sri Lanka last year. But a player cannot be that classy and not be able to adapt. Seriously, such a cricketer does not exist. There is nobody, ever, who can average nearly 50 in Test cricket and not be good enough to bat in India. India is not Mars. Good batsmen of all types prosper there.Sadly, he left his baggy green in his baggage the whole tour. How many times did Australia’s innings stutter to 3-50 or thereabouts and you just found yourself thinking gee, if only Steve Smith had an experienced, proven hand with him at the other end. Sadly, that guy was watching from the stands and it was Khawaja, his treatment is far worse then that any current batsman
Ron
Guest
Well said Ross, I would take Khawaja as opener in all formats
Ross
Guest
I think we would have won if we had Khawaja, just leave th guy in as he is a class act
Ross
Guest
Khawaja averages 50 as opener and averages 54 in domestic state cricket which is only beaten by smith at 55, finch has averaged 30 over the last 18 months so why should facts be shut down Adam, finch should not be in tbr team anymore
Sameen
Guest
If usman has been selected from game 1 instead of M Marsh then who know Australia might have one the series against India.
Adam
Guest
Khawaja averages 31 or so in if I so shut up finch deserves to be there and if he plays he will be in the top 3 runscorers for Australia
Amith
Guest
Well said Ron, khawaja deserves better then this
Ron
Guest
I also think he will be in the ashes but this article is a good one because Khawaja has been badly tested, he should not have been asked to miss the NZ series if he wasn't playing in India and then for him not to play when maxwell wasn't used for bowing and marsh should never have played ahead of Khawaja in India
Matt Jones
Guest
i dont think there is any doubt that Usman will be in the Ashes team.