Khawaja has represented the national team in 44 Tests. The left-handed batsman has scored 2887 runs at an average of 40.66 in the longest format. He has also hit eight centuries and 14 half-centuries in the format.
'Dropped' Usman Khawaja Must Become Better Than Steve Smith To Earn Australia Comeback
By Samrat Singh
Updated - 20 Aug 2020, 03:06 PM
Australia top-order batsman Usman Khawaja continues to face a tough time in his career as he was dropped from the squad for the limited-overs series against England. This continues ever since he lost his place for Australia since being dropped from the Ashes tour mid-way last year.
Marnus Labuschange, who was roped in as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith, has consistently performed and Khawaja continues to be overlooked by the national selectors. Incidentally, Khawaja also faced contract snub by Cricket Australia for 2020-21 season.
Australia head coach Justin Langer has said that the only way for Usman Khawaja to make a comeback to the side is by ousting Steve Smith or David Warner.
“The way we are going to set up our game plan at the moment is Uzzie is competing with David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith at the top of the order,” Langer told reporters.
“And at the moment our view is that those guys are getting the nod ahead of him… and that’s why he missed out.
“Marnus is a bit different, he’s batting number four. But he got a hundred in his last game and has had an incredible 12 months.”
At present the limited-overs set up for Australia looks all settled with Aaron Finch opening along side David Warner and Smith stepping in at number three followed by Marnus Labuschagne, who enjoyed a prolific year with the bat before the coronavirus shutdown.
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Steve Smith Usman Khawaja
