BGT: 'Gabba Test is the stage for Smith and Khawaja to shine,' states Katich

New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) Former Australian cricketer Simon Katich remains hopeful about the form of seasoned batters Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith, despite their lackluster performances. He believes that the Gabba Test, commencing on Saturday in Brisbane, presents an excellent chance for both players to achieve substantial scores.

Both athletes have had difficulties making meaningful contributions, with Khawaja accumulating scores of 8, 4, 13, and 9 not out over four innings, while Smith has only managed scores of 0, 17, and 2. However, Katich has observed positive signs from Smith during the second innings in Perth and from Khawaja in the first innings at Adelaide, indicating that they are beginning to find some rhythm, albeit without converting it into notable runs.

"I thought Uzzie did a commendable job in that first innings in Adelaide. The conditions were challenging that night, and I believe he and young McSweeney did well to ensure Australia ended up at Stumps one down. Although he only scored 13, the number of balls he faced early on was crucial... then he finished the job in the second innings during a small chase," Katich shared on SEN Mornings.

"As for Smith, he seemed in good form during the second innings in Perth, falling to a good delivery after scoring 17. He appeared to be moving well and showed a strong intent to score. It's difficult to evaluate their performances thus far as both pitches have been demanding for top-order batsmen against the new ball.

“I hope that at the Gabba, we experience favorable conditions as we have in the past, providing an opportunity for the players to capitalize and secure some substantial scores. This Test is likely the one where several of these players will aim to truly capitalize and achieve a significant hundred," he added.

Despite his belief in their skills, Katich expressed worries regarding the longevity of both players in Test cricket, given their advancing ages. At 37, Khawaja faces the challenge of sustaining his form at the top of the order, while Smith, at 35, is nearing an age where many batsmen tend to see a decline.

"I'm not dismissing them just yet; they are both undoubtedly talented players. However, their age is a concern. Test cricket is challenging once you surpass 35, and history shows that not many players at that age perform at their best. Khawaja may be an exception as he has excelled in the past few years, but he will soon be 38. The key challenge for him is to consistently perform at the top of the order," Katich remarked.