Is Khawaja Trying to Become the Best Opening Player for Australia?

Bridgetown, June 24 (NationPress) In anticipation of the first Test against the West Indies, Australian batsman Usman Khawaja expressed his commitment to being the top player for his team in the opening position.

Following David Warner's retirement last year, Australia has faced challenges in securing a permanent replacement, experimenting with various players for the role. For the series against the West Indies, 19-year-old Sam Konstas has been selected to partner with Khawaja at the top after participating in two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests against India.

As a senior player, Khawaja recognizes his strengths and understands his responsibilities within the team. He stated, "I feel like I have a lot to offer still. Participating in this series and the Ashes is the ultimate goal. Those are the matches we all aspire to win and be part of... There will be a gap before the next Test series. We’ll address that when it comes, but right now it's about staying focused on the present. If I lose that focus, I feel I'm not fulfilling my duty to myself and the team."

"I’m not the type to claim, ‘I want to play for another decade.’ My priority is what’s best for the team, and that’s my current focus. I could have retired two years ago but realized I still contribute significantly, aiming to be the best player for the team in that opening role, and that hasn’t changed. When it does, you’ll definitely hear about it," he added.

Khawaja achieved a personal best double century earlier this year against Sri Lanka, yet questions regarding his form arose after he faced difficulties against Kagiso Rabada in the World Test Championship final. This pattern of modest performances against pace bowlers has continued, following challenges against Jasprit Bumrah last season and New Zealand’s fast bowlers earlier in 2024.

Despite these issues, head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Khawaja’s position is secure for the upcoming Ashes series later this year.

Having been the second-highest-scoring opener in the last WTC cycle, trailing behind India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the overall top run-scorer for Australia, Khawaja maintains confidence in his long-term performance. He attributes any recent decline in form to the challenges associated with his role, particularly during a time when top-order batting has been notably difficult.

Since early 2024, Khawaja has averaged 25.29 against pace, falling slightly short of the global opener average of 27.84, but he performs significantly better against spin, boasting an average of 65.80.

"I can’t grasp why I struggle against seam bowling when I've been successful in (Sheffield) Shield cricket or have been the highest run-scorer for Australia in the WTC cycle," the 38-year-old remarked.

"I open the batting for Australia. Thus, I face seam bowlers more frequently than any others. That’s just how the game works. I wish I could encounter more spinners, but that’s not always feasible. I returned from Sri Lanka to domestic cricket and scored a century against Tasmania, facing seam bowlers predominantly, including Riley Meredith, one of the fastest in the country.

"At 38 years old, people will seek reasons for my performance. However, I believe I have a crucial role: to open the batting, setting a solid foundation for Australia," he concluded.

Regarding his partnership with Konstas, Khawaja noted, "I was aware of when and where he would attempt a quick single, and I was prepared for it."

"With this series and the significant Ashes series approaching, stability at the top is essential. It can be challenging to make frequent changes, and opening is mentally demanding. Going out against the new ball sometimes results in low scores due to good deliveries. I'm eager to play alongside Sammy, both on and off the field. I’ve experienced many highs and lows throughout my career, much of which is about mindset rather than technique. If I can guide Sammy through this journey, especially over the next few series, I aim to share as much knowledge as I can with him," he concluded.