Usman Khawaja says it’s funny that people are talking about Steve Smith’s Test century drought given the former skipper is still consistently producing big scores.
Smith cut a frustrated figure after being dismissed for 59 on day one of the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore.
The 32-year-old combined with Khawaja (91) for a crucial 138-run stand to help settle the ship after Australia had crashed to 2-8.
Smith’s most recent Test century came against India in January, 2021.
Since then he has batted 14 times in the Test arena and produced seven half-centuries, including scores of 93, 81, 78, and 72.
Smith’s latest half-century helped Australia reach 5-232 at stumps on day one, and Khawaja feels it’s just a matter of time before the star batsman reaches triple figures again.
“I’m sure he’s frustrated in some respects,” Khawaja said.
“He is, in my opinion, the greatest batsman I’ve seen in my era, averaging 60 pretty much his whole Test career.
“I’m still in awe in how many runs he’s scored over a long period of time.
“I find it so funny we’re talking about Steve Smith not scoring 100s, he seems to be getting 70, 80 … and doing it very easily. That’s just the class Steve Smith has.
“I’m sure once he gets a big score, more big scores (will come). The fact he’s getting those 60s, 70s, he’s looking really good with the bat.”
Smith was trapped lbw when his bat got caught in the flap of his back pad when he attempted to play Naseem Shah to the leg side.
“I’ve been there, it’s not fun when it happens,” Khawaja said.
“It’s almost like in slow motion. You bowl that again and he’s hitting it 99 out of 100 times, or 100 out of 100 times. The bat just got stuck, a little bit unlucky.”
Khawaja’s latest knock took his series tally to 392 runs at an average of 130.66, but he was in struggle town while at the crease on Monday.
“I was a little bit sick. I got some medication from the doc in between breaks,” Khawaja said.
“I wasn’t feeling well at all. There were a lot of mind games in between.
“I just told myself, ‘just keep going, go as long as you can, just keep pushing through’.
“And to push through for five hours – I felt absolutely horrible at the end of the day.
“I could have easily just gone harder and played a big shot and got out on 20 or 30.
“So for me to get 90 on the day with the heat, I’m actually really happy with it.”
Pierro
Roar Rookie
more like Sean marsh in aus tests for a period a few years ago should have been given another go given his shield form in aus (on Aus wickets) but ageism was always the excuse not to select him again as he struck very good form with bat again as he got older . we lost to India a second time when he was in very good form again the year before ..and probably nic maddinson could have been closer to a start in the middle order given he was a top shield scorer like khawaja coming in to last summer although head deserved his place but once again abroad that is becoming questionable at the moment. he needs to perform second innings and Sri Lanka that’s for sure . Harris had his chances at test level each year it seems for continued failure so never really not selected as kept getting starts only for labuschange to end up opening for him due to his dire starts . warner of course gets selected no matter how poor hisnform is particularly overseas. khawaja has certainly worked and should have been selected earlier than he was on his shield form last year
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Settle down Sarge. There was nothing there that referred to you. I didn't even infer that you're one of Vladimir Murdoch's minions.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Maybe he was busting to get to the loo?
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Sorry Qwetz I'm not really talking about Smith I'm talking about cricket pads Go beat your drum elsewhere. I was full of praise for the bowler at the time in the live feed
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Might get Harris in ahead of Warner for OS tours. Values his wicket
Nick
Roar Guru
You'd reckon a hockey style moulded leg/shin pad that goes up to include the knee would be almost perfect for this? There is no legislation around the type or size or even requirement to wear pads...so it's amazing there hasn't been much innovation in this area. I'd personally go for a moulded shin guard that goes from ankle to bottom of knee, and then a roller blading style knee guard. Something that I think would provide protection and maximum mobility.
Nick
Roar Guru
He actually started marching off before tea was called. As the final word podcast is pointing out, there are several examples of him trying to sway the umpires will.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
I've noticed that the SPD Smith Fan Club has been flat out inferring that he got out because his bat was slowed by hitting his back pad. While this is literally true, the reason the bat hit the pad was that he had to change the arc of his downswing due to the late inswing. Credit to the bowler please.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
So Marcus Harris should be in the XI?
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I wonder if any pad manufacturers were watching that dismissal. The outer half of the pad flap on the back leg doesn't add much protection but does occasionally interfere with the path of the bat. Overall pad design hasn't moved along much in recent memory, with the exception of the slim line pads fielders are wearing under their whites. I wonder about creating a more streamlined design where the flap is replaced with a contoured padding built into an underlayer
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
I thought that was really odd. Wouldn’t you just wait for a minute and go off with your teammate?
Pierro
Roar Rookie
khawaja an example of why you let your best shield players back in to the side no matter the age, so many didn't want him selected he was my opener or first drop from beginning of last summer it took an injury for him to be selected
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Wtf? Here's a bloke who's having a Bradmanesque stretch and he's being asked to pimp a teammate. Let's have some balance please! But mentioning these two players is happenstance. Last night I noticed that when the ump called 'Tea', Smith turned straight for the gate and led Khawaja by 15-20 metres all the way to it. "Odd", I thought, normally the batters go off together, *especially* after they've just put on 140.