Ashes 2023: “I Felt Usman Khawaja Was A Bit Slow And He Was Battling" - Jason Gillespie Reveals The Rise Of The Left Handed Batter

Published - 18 Jun 2023, 04:44 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Usman Khawaja. Pic Credits: Twitter.

Usman Khawaja dictated the terms on Day 2 against a strong England’s bowling attack. Usman Khawaja scored 126 runs in 279 balls and struck 14 fours and 2 sixes. Usman Khawaja along with Alex Carey looked untroubled against the bowling unit.

Australia would be quite happy after playing the second new ball smartly but the hosts would be aiming to get wickets quickly as the likes of Pat Cummins can smash lusty blows at the back end of the innings and play handy cameos.

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England skipper Ben Stokes perhaps will have to use the veteran speedster James Anderson smartly. Anderson along with Broad has shown good control over his line & length but hasn’t been that threatening.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “He Told Me Why Would We Send James Anderson Out To Bat” – Nasser Hussain On Ben Stokes’ Declaration vs Australia

I thought Usman Khawaja was nearly done- Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie was having an interaction with the Daily Mail and stated that he didn’t think Usman Khawaja would make it to the national side. Jason Gillespie pointed out that Usman Khawaja was a bit slow and said that the left-handed batter has proved everyone wrong.

“A couple of years ago, I saw Usman Khawaja play for Queensland in a Sheffield Shield game when I was coaching South Australia. I remember saying: ‘I think he’s past it. I don’t think there’s much left,’ ” said Jason Gillespie.

“I felt he was a bit slow and he was battling. I thought his time was nearly done. Well, he has certainly proved me wrong and I am delighted to admit it. You love it when players show they still have more to give,” he added.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: Nasser Hussain Slams “Sloppy” England On Day 2 At Edgbaston

Usman Khawaja wasn’t expecting that chance and is now playing every game as if it’s his last – Jason Gillespie

Jason Gillespie recalled Ashes 2021-22 when Usman Khawaja got the chance to play in place of Travis Head (*was Covid-19 infected). Jason Gillespie gave the example of Justin Langer in Ashes 2001 when he replaced Michael Slater and said how Justin Langer made the most of the opportunity.

“It all goes back to that sliding doors moment in January 2022, when Travis Head caught Covid before the fourth Ashes Test and Usman got the opportunity and scored a hundred in each innings. He wasn’t expecting that chance and is now playing every game as if it’s his last, with a really clear mind,” said Jason Gillespie.

“It reminds me of the time Justin Langer replaced Michael Slater for the final Test of the Ashes in 2001. He thought he was in the last-chance saloon and so he had that attitude of, ‘I’m just going to make the most of this. I’m going to enjoy the battle, enjoy the challenge, just play and have fun,’ ” he stated.

“Justin went on to have one of the great careers with that attitude and mindset. And I see a lot of similarities between the situation Justin was in and where Usman finds himself now,” he added.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “It’s The Last (Ashes) Tour I’ll Be On, Unless I Pull A Jimmy Anderson And Come Back When I’m 41” – Usman Khawaja On His Future

Tagged:

Jason Gillespie Justin Langer Michael Slater Pat Cummins Usman Khawaja