Since 1 January 2017, Usman Khawaja has averaged 34.8 across 39 Test innings. That is not the required level of performance for a man in the top order.
The question is now whether he can force his way back into the side. It may not be any easy task as he closes in on 33 years of age.
Khawaja’s axing sees Marnus Labuschagne moved up one to number three to accommodate the return of Steve Smith.
It is a position that Labuschagne occupied during his prolific stint with Glamorgan pre-Ashes. When he departed to join the Aussie squad, he had compiled five centuries and amassed 1114 runs at 65.5 – the first batsman to reach 1000 first-class runs this English summer.
His form has shown no sign of abating since his recall midway through the Lord’s Test. His 59, 74 and 80 have seen him top-score in each innings he has played.
Labuschagne’s technique and mindset indicate he could well succeed at number three and therein lies a major issue for Khawaja in his quest to recapture a spot in the side.
It will have to be as an opener, as he is unlikely to be recalled at either five or six.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
It was between Khawaja and opener Marcus Harris to suffer the axe for Old Trafford. Given Harris had been given just the one Test to show his wares, it would have been a tough call to drop him again.
David Warner rediscovered some form in the first innings at Headingley, with a patient 61, but was out for a duck in the second. The selectors have maintained the faith in a man with a career average of 46.7 and 21 centuries.
They will be hoping he can recapture some of his former glory in the next two Tests ahead of series on home soil this summer, where he averages 59.6.
In a limited sample size, Khawaja has proved effective at the top of the order, with seven innings for two centuries and an average of 96.8.
However, to earn a recall as an opener he would likely need to open for his state of Queensland, where the incumbents are Joe Burns and Matthew Renshaw.
Burns was unlucky to miss out on the Ashes squad, having amassed 180 against Sri Lanka at Canberra at the end of last summer in what was his last Test innings. In all, he has four centuries and an average of 40.1.
Any display of form at the start of the Sheffield Shield season should see him firm as the next cab off the rank to fill an opening position should there be a vacancy. That prospect makes Khawaja’s return even more problematic.
Renshaw had a lean season last summer, with nine Shield matches producing an average of 21.9 and a highest score of 89.
But he on the radar as a long-term Test opener and is still likely to be in the Bulls line-up at the start of the summer. If he is, it is a question of where he will bat.
Will Khawaja, as skipper, opt to open and drop Renshaw down the order? When Labuschagne is in the line-up, that would potentially be a demotion to number four.
There is much for Khawaja to ponder as he endeavours to recapture his place and every likelihood he has played his last Test innings for Australia.
On song, he has been a stylish and productive player.
But at his age, and given the make-up of the team and who is waiting in the wings, a return to the top flight may be beyond him.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Averaging over 95 as a fill in opener, a permanent move there may be Khawaja's only chance to return to the test side, at least for the home series.
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
The problem with Khawaja is that he'll go back to SS and score runs for fun, but the step up to consistency in test cricket has seemingly alluded him. He has played his last test. I do see him being a regular in the white ball teams though. Easily a top 7 batsmen in the 50-over game for Australia.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Glenn I would have given bancroft another match as it stood going in to the third test like warner. Earlier on, from test 2 there was a claim to open with khawaja and drop bancroft or warner down the order given their struggles . If Bancroft was dropped after third test I would have elevated khawaja for test four and probably let go of harris but the problem was harris came in to the side too early for bancroft creating this problem of we can't drop him after one game. Id start harris back in australia . Too many changes with openers but I would have focused on batting order
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
Pierro, I am not sure I understand what it is you are saying ... “Khawaja was worth elevating a few Tests ago” ... “Bancroft should have been given three Tests like Warner” ... so who is it you would have had opening a few Tests ago?
anon
Roar Pro
Ussie has done poorly compared to Matty Hayden, but we don't have a Matty Hayden knocking down the door playing for QLD. Most of our options are struggling to crack the mid-30's in FC cricket.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Agree 100% with this matth! I don't understand the love for Bancroft. Harris at least forced his way in through weight of runs in the Shield
Akitas
Roar Rookie
Clarke averaged 31.9 and Khawaja averages 42.1 in the second innings, so your point is well made.
JamesH
Roar Guru
He'd probably take that now, all things considered!
matth
Roar Guru
Well there was certainly no requirement for finch to open at first class level before being considered a test opener, so Khawaja can bat wherever he wants really.
matth
Roar Guru
And how poor will it be that David Warner gets carried for the whole series while Bancroft, Khawaja and then Harris get the axe.
matth
Roar Guru
Why Harris and Bancroft? what have they actually shown? Both averaging around 30 at best with no centuries? What has Joe Burns actually done wrong to be leapt over by these two?
matth
Roar Guru
That used to be glen Maxwell's position. Tour India and then never get picked back at home.
matth
Roar Guru
Hayden also had a mighty series in the UAE one time from memory. i think he was less convincing in the SA/English conditions.
Nick
Roar Guru
India he did better than most...sure. But he has a 16 run difference in average h/a.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Yes he should but for one reason or another he hasn't. Stokes will probably be remembered as great all rounder. Usi as just a good test cricketer, who had the occasional big day out.
Mike B
Guest
That's tough on Hayden - I seem to recall us winning a series in India on the back of Hayden's batting where he mastered the sweep.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
The selectors have botched it up with openers. Khawaja was worth elevating a few tests ago. Bancroft deserved three tests like warner. This exposed harris who had poor english warm up form in the matches that mattered. Id rather have seen khawaja opening with one of warner/harris/bancroft who have all been poor but no huge suprises with warner and harris given their form lines on english pitches. If khawaja and one of the out of form batsmen opened it would leave a place open for an inform english pitch batsmen from outside the squad like carey or someone else , even maxwell or they could have played siddle for extra bowling to aid starcs short spells . Thats a factor for the oval where we may need deeper bowling. They couldnt have done any worse thats for sure . Of course when they get back to australian shores some of the openers will make runs there as they always do. . Wade needs runs on this batting friendly pitch to justify his position now as his technique has been so poor he gets his chance today otherwise if he doesn’t make runs he should probably be dropped all be it that the oval is often batting friendly .
Overandout
Roar Rookie
Stokes delivered two tests in a row with the bat, once with the ball in that long spell at end of day 2,.....not to mention World Cup final. Ussi as our number 3 should at least step up big time once a series......? .
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Except when he did. To clarify "under pressure", a run chase, a challenging pitch, a 4th innings, a lost cause, he's done ok. Most good test players only occasionally deliver "under pressure" innings. Even the extraordinary struggle in some areas. The brilliant Michael Clarke's 4th innings average is pretty ordinary. Might be worse than Khawaja's.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Hopefully we give priority to younger replacements. It should take an incredibly rich vein of form in the shield to earn a recall and only when other options have failed.