Usman Khawaja Cleared Of Serious Injury After Bouncer Blow

Australia have heaved a sigh of relief after their batsman Usman Khawaja avoided serious injury. Khawaja was struck by an Andre Russell delivery in Australia’s seven-wicket win over the West Indies in a practise match in Southampton. The southpaw had to walk off the field early in the innings. Khawaja was batting on just 5 when he was hit by a ball that reared up off a length and caught him under the grill on his helmet.

The team doctor attended Khawaja soon and took him off the field. Khawaja then went to hospital and the scans have showed nothing serious.  Khawaja later returned back to the ground in the afternoon after being cleared of serious damage, according to cricket.com.au

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“It was very scary,” said Shaun Marsh after the game. “It copped him on the side of the cheekbone … The main thing is he is OK and can bounce back pretty quickly. (Khawaja was) a bit shaken, as you are when you get hit on the head. But he is a tough cookie, Uzzy, and he’ll be ready to go,” he added.

Talking about the game, Australia thrashed West Indies by seven wickets with more than 11 overs to spare. Steve Smith continued his red-hot form, scoring another fifty while Marsh also posted a fifty. After Khawaja walked off the field, David Warner came out at number three but scored just 12. Smith, however, looked confident right from the start as he got off the mark in style with a six over third man.

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Finch soon returned to the pavilion after scoring 42 before Smith and Marsh took charge. Smith departed after scoring 76 off 82 balls. Marsh, on the other hand, went on to score an unbeaten fifty while Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 18 as Australia chased down 230 with utmost ease. Earlier in the match, Australia had bowled out West Indies for 229 inside 47 overs.