If Australia could have wished for anything other than a win to come from the fifth Ashes match, it surely would have been a return to form for Usman Khawaja. They received just that yesterday, as the number three played his best Test innings of the past 12 months.
Khawaja came to the SCG under pressure, having laboured in this series and averaged just 20 with the bat over his last five Tests.
This summer Khawaja looked an entirely different batsman to the one who dominated the previous two summers. Across those home seasons there had been nothing
thrown at him which he couldn’t handle. Pace, seam, swing, spin – all of it was mastered by the elegant left-hander.
He stood firm as Australia’s batting line-up imploded against South Africa last summer. At Hobart he quelled the rampant Proteas quicks to make 64 in his side’s second innings return of 161. Khawaja bettered that in the next Test, compiling a match-winning 145 in the first innings of the day-night match at Adelaide after being asked to play as a makeshift opener.
Khawaja finished that Australian season with a Test average nudging 50. That wasn’t enough, though, for him to be picked for the subsequent tour of India, with the selectors clearly spooked by his poor record against spin in Asia.
He was afforded one Test later in the year, in Bangladesh, then dumped after making scores of one and one at Dhaka.
[latest_videos_strip category=”cricket” name=”Cricket”]
It always seemed likely he would start in Australia’s Ashes line-up given his supreme record on home pitches, yet there was still plenty of pre-series speculation about his selection.
Perhaps all of these events poisoned Khawaja’s mind, or perhaps he’s just been out of form. Whatever the cause, his batting was painful to watch at times over the first three Tests. That is quite a statement because, at his best, Khawaja is one of the world’s most aesthetically-pleasing strokemakers.
Yesterday was not a full return to such majesty. It was not a masterpiece. Instead it was an imperfect innings of great value.
Whereas Khawaja’s best knocks have flowed like water, yesterday’s innings was far more stilted. He had to will himself to 50, finding it hard to locate sweet timing or easy rhythm.
From then on the game began to open up for Khawaja and we witnessed vignettes of his imperious best. No doubt he would have loved to reach his ton before stumps rather than heading to bed last night on 91 not out. But what matters more than that milestone is that he may just have got over the hump, whether it was mental or technical.
The timing of his resurgence could scarcely be better. In just over a month Australia will fly to South Africa for an extremely difficult Test series and, between now and then, Khawaja will at best get to play one more first-class match. This SCG Test was a gilded opportunity for him to build some confidence and momentum ahead of that blockbuster clash.
Australia needed Khawaja to regain touch as they are a vastly superior side when he is making runs. And he just happens to own a fine Test record against the Proteas.
Khawaja and his teammates will hope that this innings is a launching pad for him to continue that run of form against the South Africans.
moustache twirler
Guest
You've just basically called him a weak fielder. A "1D" player. Which means he is in the team because he is highly rated for his batting, and not his fielding and/or bowling. I wouldn't call this an anachronism. I would just say that he's in the team because he is a good batsman.
Alan
Guest
You’re really trying to argue that a pitch on which we scored 600+ and declared on was difficult to bat on against a fairly average English attack?
BennO
Guest
Yes. You're right after all, Alan. It is such a flat lifeless pitch anyone could have got a ton (except Smith and Warner). And by crikey the poms were absolutely smashing the ball to all corners this afternoon. How good was Cook, eh? Naturally England's best ever batter was cruising to yet another massive 3rd innings total. Oh...wait...
Davico
Roar Pro
Anderson 5th all time for Test wickets and Broad sitting on 399. You must have been a freak in your day if they are pie chuckers! Oh wait how many test have you played? Back in you box nuffy
Alan
Guest
And after a quick review of his scores over 50, Australia has declared or scored 400+ every time except for once when khawaja has got a 50. Obviously because he performs on roads.
Alan
Guest
Obviously a really tough pitch khawaja has performed on. 5/6 Aussie batsman got 50’s and 3/6 got 100s. Real tough circumstances for Khawaja to nail down his spot. Let’s keep khawaja in the team for another few series on the basis of this innings.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Frankie you old flat tracker you never fail to disappoint.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Don is taking the p*ss Al but you keep going. Hilarious.
Mitcher
Guest
Clinging onto anything there Alan after getting absolutely spanked around the park by Benno. Sad.
Mitcher
Guest
Benno has absolutely taken you to town Alan and you’re just too blind to see it.
Ross
Guest
And fantastic article from Ronan
Ross
Guest
Frankie give me a break, this was all class from Khawaja under pressure too given his position
Ross
Guest
Khawaja is our best batsman after smith in tough situations
Ross
Guest
Well said
Ross
Guest
When Khawaja has opened he has scored big runs, I would get him to open too
Ross
Guest
Khawaja is now one of the best fielders around in gully and outfield, look at his catch against broad last week, and he is also our third best batsman after smith and warner
Ross
Guest
Alan you have lost the argument mate, Khawaja played a sublime knock and is our best number 3 in all conditions, people like you will never like Khawaja even if he averages 70
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Hopelessly played spin very well in this innings. Go the marshmallows.
JGK
Roar Guru
Agree. I really hope Pandya gets to the ton - it will be a remarkable effort given the opposition and pitch.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
DavSA I'm following the SA v India Test closely. Faf and AB batted beautifully, India's top 7 then imploded against some good but not great bowling, and now Pandya is playing a truly extraordinary rearguard innings. It's been an extremely entertaining Test so far.