Queensland captain Usman Khawaja has emphatically rebutted Ian Chappell’s claim that he only performs against mediocre bowling by closing in on a Test recall with a fighting innings.
A day after laughing off Chappell’s comments, Khawaja stood tall to make a masterful 70 on Day 1 of a Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the Gabba despite carnage unfolding around him.
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The Bulls were rolled for just 129 on a green-top pitch with Khawaja the only specialist batter to reach double figures. Tail-enders Gurinder Sandhu (13) and Mark Steketee (10) provided limited support.
Khawaja, 34, was the last man dismissed having lasted 138 balls against a potent bowling attack featuring Jhye Richardson, Joel Paris, Test all-rounder Cameron Green, Cameron Gannon and Lance Morris, who snared top figures of 4/21.
Chappell recently told Wide World of Sports that Khawaja was “a good player against mediocre bowling, but against good bowling I don’t think there’s much future there” – prompting the left-hander to quip that Ian was “not even the best player in his family”.
“If I’m going to take advice, I might take it from his younger brother, who I get along with very well too. GC (Greg Chappell) is a legend,” Khawaja said.
Even before his latest performance, many pundits and fans were calling for Khawaja’s reinstatement in the Australian side for the upcoming Ashes summer.
The elegant stroke-maker scored 174 in a Shield match against South Australia last month and backed that up with 119 in the following four-day clash with Tasmania.
After playing the most recent of his 44 Tests against England in 2019, Khawaja is seemingly in the box seat to partner veteran David Warner atop the order for the opening Ashes match in Brisbane on December 8.
With Will Pucovski recovering from his latest concussion, it appears a race in two between Khawaja and Victorian Marcus Harris to claim the vacant opening spot.
But speaking on Tuesday, Khawaja said he’d be happy to bat anywhere in Australia’s line-up.
“I’ve been batting four for Queensland for the last two years so for me, if there’s a spot at five, it’s as likely as opening the batting, (and) it probably makes more sense in some respects,” Khawaja told reporters, per cricket.com.au.
“I talked to selectors a while ago, as long I’m in the top-six, I feel like I’m a top-six bat, I feel like I can bat anywhere.
“There’s a lot of good players out there too, I’m not a lock by any stretch of the imagination, there’s still another two games left.”
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s Shaun Marsh recorded a titbit of history.
Having batted alongside Zimbabwe international Murray Goodwin on his first-class debut some 20 years ago, Marsh’s journey came full circle when he partnered Goodwin’s debutant son, Jayden.
Unfortunately, there was no first-innings fairytale for either of them. Goodwin was out for 10, caught behind off Sandhu, while Marsh – now aged 38 – retired hurt on six due to a calf injury.
Basil Baborgnay
Roar Rookie
I really don't think Chapelli should be issuing such personal assessments of players. Especially since he probably is just talking off the cuff and hasn't actually done much research to back up his pronouncement. Checking the cricinfo statsguru, Usie averages 40 odd in test cricket, 42 in ODIs, and 27 in T20. These are impressive figures across the board and makes one wonder why he has not been given the same opportunities as other players with inferior records seem to have been given.
Mike
Guest
The selectors and high level players do understand what they’re looking at with players. Sometimes it’s stats and talent, sometimes there are other factors like mental strength. Border for example was a player who was abundant in the latter and out-performed most - many of whom were gifted with more natural talent (like Mark Waugh - there ya go Pale Roarer - red rag to a statiscal bull!). With Head, I feel he’s a conundrum. They like what he brings to the table with his attitude and approach but he has a technical deficiency with his offside play that gets exposed at the stepped-up level of Test cricket. He has made a lot of starts and gets caught playing catchable shots between cover and third slip. Ponting (especially), Langer and Hayden had FC 50 averages backed up by much sounder techniques. As a general rule, it doesn’t happen that a player averages any more than they can manage in FC cricket. For all the years I’ve been following the game closely (since the ‘72 Ashes) it’s been a fair litmus test. Head’s current Test average of 39 is about right and what we can expect. He’ll have a few good innings with some failures and a lot of frustrating starts I feel Khawaja is a slight step up towards the mid 40s. I feel he’s technically stronger and can fill the 5 spot solidly for a bit while Green develops and is ready to move up to 5 behind Lab and Smith. I’m not a big fan of Ussie to open but maybe as a home summer stop-gap. Although, I think we need to persist with trying to find somebody. Probably one last go with Harris and then the door closed if he fails. Warner is good for this home summer and then we start to move on. Lab is not an option. We have the best 3 and 4 combo - we need to lock that in and build around it. Not break it up.
matth
Roar Guru
Yep, I'm agreeing he's a good one. No need to rush just yet. He''s got an eye, that's for sure.
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
So much for form. Honestly, a disemboweled chicken makes for a more consistent process then the actual test team selection process!
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Cool. I was of a similar mind, but I just can't help myself. :shocked:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not a bad strike rate for the games he's played. The centuries will pile on. Many good scores, other than centuries, already.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I'm not going to show up often Bernie. I'll read but not comment much. I'll chill for the next few months.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Half of it is what Micko said, and welcome back Micko - really missed you, I just wish Renato would come back. The other half of it Matth, is that once a series when the top 4 fail and you are 4 for 100 in the first innings, that is the time for the numbers 5 and 6 to shine.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What wickets were they taking? None. WA was just making hay. No part time spinner...just Labuschagne bowling off the long run-up.
Micko
Roar Rookie
The point is Matt is that they’re often under less pressure as they’re somewhat shielded from drama if the top 4 are doing their job, hence why young/new batting talent often occupy #5 or #6 in the batting order in their first stage/s of their test career (a la Ponting, Clarke etc) before being promoted up the order.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Matth I have never said that at all. I have only ever said that once your lead is more than the record run chase you are pretty safe, and this can be 100 or more less depending on what expert analysis from commentators at the time is. I allow a victory margin of 100 runs or a neat innings, and do not start capping until margins exceed these amounts and/or when declarations are in the picture. I will thank you not to miss-represent me.
matth
Roar Guru
2nd ever first class century. He has a way to go, but I love the way he is developing from T20 hatchet man at the moment. I'd say he will be cherry ripe around the 2023/24 summer
matth
Roar Guru
Problem is, he wasn't in form either at the time. The cupboard was seriously bare at that point for openers.
matth
Roar Guru
So to be clear, we should declare 3rd innings aiming to win by about 10, because anything more is meaningless? I admire your risk taking sensibilities.
matth
Roar Guru
Are you basically saying that any batsmen below 4 run the risk of being irrelevant most of the time as their runs rarely count? So we drop them to play someone else at 5 or 6 who is also irrelevant most of the time and whose runs barely count??
matth
Roar Guru
It does, however mean they can bat.
matth
Roar Guru
And it doesn't corner well! :laughing:
The Selector
Guest
Usman only scored 8 runs in the 2nd innings. This topic is now considered CLOSED.
Johnb
Guest
Damp day, heavy atmosphere, medium pacers taking all the wickets. Hardly bizarre to not bowl the spinner, although why the part timer I don't know. Maybe Morris's success and missing Neser? Looking at the weather now I wouldn't be betting on much play today
Clear as mud
Guest
“Harry’s had limited opportunities in the past, and he’s been in and out a bit, so we’d love nothing more than for him hopefully to get an opportunity to get an extended run at it,” Bailey said on radio RSN. Because he has failed repeatedly, and had to be dropped. Twice. Pffft. Makes me think Head might be a goner... Maybe they will put Khawaja back to 3 so he's a Dysonesque 3rd opener like 81-2? Three lefties at the top could stink a bit tho.