Usman Khawaja is in total control of his game, he’s reached a point in his career where he knows how to build an innings from start to finish like some of the modern-day greats.
He’s 35 but he’s at the peak of his powers and moving up to opener for the fifth Ashes Test won’t be a problem. The best way to prepare for a shift like that is two score centuries in each innings of the previous game.
Khawaja’s been in top form for a while in Sheffield Shield cricket, in the BBL he’s been awesome for the Sydney Thunder; so it wasn’t a surprise to see him play so well when he was recalled for the fourth Test at the SCG.
He’s batting like he has nothing to prove but also like he’s enjoying every ball like it’s a gift. When batters reach that mindset, the good ones, they just bat and bat and bat.
They’re extremely satisfied with what they can do but also that they can negotiate the next ball with such self belief, it’s a good phase to be in.
Guys like Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis, what was really interesting about them was at the end of their careers all their hundreds were constructed the same.
They became so good at putting together an innings that each Test looked like the same innings – the only way you knew you were watching a different match was that the ground or the opposition had changed.
Khawaja is now at that point of being really comfortable about how to put together each knock, whether it’s a fast one, a long one or whether it’s a difficult situation.
It was almost like when he came out to bat in both those Sydney innings against England that whatever pressure he was feeling was coming through the blade beautifully.
He was quoted as saying he hadn’t even taken in the first hundred yet, let alone the second, and that must be a great feeling because it means it’s not result orientated, it’s process orientated.
His reaction to his hundreds suggests he was completely in the moment and that comes from experience among older players.
In both innings, process met intensity met calmness met technique met absolutely self belief.
It can happen early in your career but you might spend five or more years trying to replicate that form. A lot of them never reach those dizzy heights again.
Chris Rogers is a late bloomer that had a few years at a similar age where he played the best cricket of his career as an opener, Mike Hussey was the best of them in that he didn’t play a Test until he was 30 but once he got there he looked like he could have played forever.
They were not fighting their games – they were in total unison with their thought patterns and their techniques and I see that now in Uzzy.
I don’t buy into the notion that he’s underperformed in his career. He averages 40-plus. It’s probably just taken him a little bit longer to get to where he is.
There’s a potential there to really enjoy the next few years. He will have fun at Hobart and he can have a lot of success in the upcoming tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
I don’t think he’s ever had a technical problem on the subcontinent, he’s come up against some really good bowling.
From what I’ve seen over a long time with Usman is he plays spin really well so I wouldn’t put a limit on what he can do now. It would be no surprise if he’s not Australia’s most successful player over there.
The selectors have been really good giving Marcus Harris a chance in four Tests to cement a spot and he hasn’t done that, so it was the right call for him to be left out for Khawaja.
It’s a tough gig opening the batting and he’s come up against some quality quicks in Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson and Chris Woakes.
There is an area around off stump where he needs to improve as far as which balls to leave and which ones to attack.
He’s scored mountains of runs in Shield cricket with Victoria and now that he’s out of that wash cycle, he can look at things he can change to get better.
There were some calls questioning Cameron Green’s spot in the side before his 74 in the second innings but this kid is special. We have to treat him differently to anyone else because he’s such a natural freak.
You’ve got a big, powerful athlete with long levers, they’re taking over world sport.
He is in the mode of Kallis and Imran Khan when it comes to all-rounders, in a different stratosphere.
His batting technique was picked apart a little bit, trying to be too precise.
Don’t always try and be a surgeon, be a butcher. That first cut from a butcher is pretty accurate, it’s strong, it’s deep and powerful.
I think sometimes when people try to be too precise and slow everything down, they lose a bit of power and control. Outside off stump he was trying to push to the middle of the bat rather than trusting his instincts and being strong with his shots. That second innings will set him up for the future.
His bowling has been world class. It’s scary to see such a young guy of 22 who can bat at No.6 but also be so good with the ball. He’s up near two metres tall but he can make the ball talk and also has excellent athleticism in the gully.
Even though he’s underachieved with the bat a bit, I’ve been nothing but impressed with Green.
It was good also to see Jonny Bairstow shine for England. He put the pressure back on the Australian bowlers, counterattacking in both innings – batting time but also putting away the loose ball.
The fact that he can play white-ball cricket so well should mean that he can transfer those skills to the Test arena.
There has been a lot of outdated talk from commentators that we’re not paying enough respect to red-ball cricket with the way tours are set up these days.
The best players in the world are playing white-ball cricket because that’s where they make their money – the IPL rivals the NFL in terms of money generated so you can’t blame players for putting a high priority on T20 cricket.
Gone are the days of pre-season tours where you play two or three first-class matches before a Test series.
The way that Bairstow and Ben Stokes were able to take on Nathan Lyon and put the pressure back on him comes from their experience in white-ball cricket. In county cricket you’re going to face most bowlers operating at around 130km/h but in the T20 leagues you will come up against guys bowling serious heat and that can be a better preparation for when you play Tests against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Sam Billings looks like he’s going to play in this Test in Hobart after being brought into the squad following a stint in the BBL with the Thunder and to me that looks like a pretty good preparation. Being able to negotiate a white ball at top pace or from quality spin, that will help make him ready to go for this game.
The programs are never going to go backwards to play less white-ball cricket because the players won’t want that because it will cost them money.
The good players are going to perform regardless of the preparation they’ve had. A fair few of the Australian team played in the T20 World Cup coming into the Ashes but they’ve still done well.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Good article, thanks Trent. The father of an old mate of mine insisted to us when we were younger that our best days as batters would come well into our 30s. This is what he'd experienced. It's certainly happened with his son - he's played the best cricket of his career from his mid-30s until now, when we're both in out late 30s. Unfortunately, I never peaked. I was ordinary until about the age of 33. Suffered a serious knee injury and haven't played since. I could've come back, but couldn't be bothered.
Chris
Guest
Well, this has aged poorly.
Phillip
Roar Rookie
As of now the Aussies are down 3 wickets including the flawless Khawaja at the top of the order. Losing both openers not surprising as Warner hasn't looked good since the beginning of the series and Khawaja wasn't protected down at five. For now the selecters will keep Khawaja for the next series sadly for Harris's career as I suspect the selecters are waiting for a certain young Victorian to return from injury.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Averages have only been down 3% since 2010 compared to 2000-2010.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Perfect analogy. Usain’s been doing great times in the 100, let’s throw him into the 1500 even if his previous times have been ordinary.
Brian
Guest
Batting averages are down worldwide because its hard for batsman to transition from T20 to Tests. RSA v India finish a 3 Test series tonight. In 12 innings the highest team score will be 327.
Brian
Guest
Honestly you remind me of the AFL/NRL fans whose team wins a game easily and all of a sudden their premiership favourites. Khawja a dud overseas, Green's unproven against quality spin bowling. Bairstow has been horrible for 3 years. They did well but you can't just lump Khawaja in with all time greats like Ponting & Kallis becuase of one match
Mike
Guest
Absolutely right. Finch is a classic example of a player not able to transfer from white to red ball. The selectors desperately wanted to make a Test bat out of him....but, nah! It does my head in how so many people are talking M.Marsh up as a test player and quoting T20 fifties that he's getting for the Scorchers! WTF! I'm searching for an analogy - it's like picking a runner for the 1500 because he's fast at the 100. Both running, but virtually different sports.
Patrick
Roar Pro
Hi Trent, good to have another one of these articles. I think Khawaja seems content with what he’s achieved and views every Test as a bonus now, which is a mindset that seems to be helping him. On a different topic, I think quite a few people, myself included, were surprised to see Alana King selected over Amanda-Jade Wellington in the Women’s Ashes squad. Selectors indicated that the reason was King’s flatter bowling, making her a like for like replacement for Wareham. As you’ve worked with King in the past, I’m sure you’ll advocate for her, but nonetheless I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this selection.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Personally Jeff if a player gets 14 wickets in 2 tests you would be rapt for him & rapt for Australian cricket & as a ‘big cricket fan’ you would want the best to represent country.
Frank delosa
Guest
Just went on a Christmas holiday to my holiday house on phillip island mate. Just had a small break from the madness of covid and the people spreading it like wildfire. No slurs here pal, just a big cricket fan who loves the game and life in general. you may be looking into it too much, much like the KFC tv ad with the west indians years back. Love, FD
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Wow, you've really laid into Boland, Frank, since your return from your "break" from this site. Given your repeated racial slurs over the last 12 weeks Frank - how many posts have you had removed and how long were you sidelined for? - I'd almost think there was something particular with Boland that you have an issue with.
Linphoma
Guest
Scratching me head over how white ball cricket prepares you for red/pink ball cricket. Yes, the balls are the same shape and size. There you have it. Every test tour should begin with a limited over tournament.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Frank if Boland is fit he will play if he isn’t he won’t. 14 wickets in 2 tests av 8. Starc lost us the Sydney test you should be more concerned about him.
Frank delosa
Guest
Surely AUS cannot pick Boland if he is carrying an injury. It is so damn selfish of him. Pick Richo, a guy dropped for bowling well. Boland was meant to be a horses for courses pick, now the chad is the golden boy of AUS. He has had a blinder but Warne calling him the best since McGrath...come on WTF man!?!? Stoinis and his partner Stanley are also in the media a fair bit too. Well done on Marcus coming out. Good show matey.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Yes Paul that is one of the more unbelievable statements I’ve red. It’s got nothing to do with who claims to be an “expert”. The sheer weight of evidence is pretty conclusive - Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Finch, Maxwell, Buttler, Bairstow, M and S Marsh, Shahid Afridi. Anyone who’s played red and white ball cricket at a decent level should be aware of the importance of defensive technique in the longer form and the fact that the pitches provide more challenges.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Disagree that Usman hasn’t underperformed. He has played in nine series where his average was 30 or under. His average away from Australia is 28.7 which is pretty awful. Away averages deserve more weight as they are more difficult to achieve, test a player in a range of conditions, and are more comparable with a player’s international peers . His raw average is misleading in this sense, especially as it is boosted by big numbers at home against Pakistan, NZ and the Windies. I confess that while I always want Usman to do well, I don’t like watching him sometimes because he is so square on and never gets his right shoulder in the direction of the ball.
Cam
Guest
Good read, I also think Khawaja will enjoy some productive returns in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Not sure England's solution to a 4-0 Ashes hammering will be more white-ball cricket.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree Paul. I’m not equipped to challenge Trent technically but it’s clear some red ball prep is necessary to take on our attack in our conditions. Particularly given that we actually prepared pitches this summer that didn’t play right into the hands of our opponents and TV. Nobody steps from clown cricket to 5 day tests against this group of quicks happily, sorry
Paul
Roar Guru
This article was going well until I read these two statements; "The fact that he (Jonny Bairstow) can play white-ball cricket so well should mean that he can transfer those skills to the Test arena." "There has been a lot of outdated talk from commentators that we’re not paying enough respect to red-ball cricket with the way tours are set up these days." In cricket terms, I'd class these statements as umpiring howlers. There's no doubt some skills can transfer across from white ball cricket eg the reverse sweeps that an in-form Khawaja was playing, but to suggest guys don't need red ball practice matches flies in the face of everything that's been used to explain why England has batted so poorly. Why didn't Malan play this way? Or Buttler? Both world class white ball players. The fact that it took until the 4th Test and the easiest pitch of the series for an England bat to make a statement, suggests they badly needed red ball practice and the fact no-one from England bar Root averages over 40 suggests white ball cricket skills are hurting their Test batting abilities.