Usman Khawaja Worried By The Lack Of Spin Options In Australian Cricket

Left-handed batsman Usman Khawaja is worried about the future of spin bowling in Australia. The former Australian batsman, who recently lost out on a central contract has voiced his concerns on the lack of spin options for the national side once Nathan Lyon calls time on his career.

Usman Khawaja feels that the lack of conducive conditions for the spinners in domestic cricket is one of the biggest reasons why Australia will struggle to produce quality spinners. He also reckoned that Mitchell Swepson is the ideal successor to Nathan Lyon but lamented on the fact that the lack of assistance for spinners was one of the prime reasons for him being reluctant in using Swepson in Shield cricket.

“It’s really hard, even for me as a captain, to get (Swepson) into the game when the ball is hooping around corners and you’re playing on really green decks,” Usman Khawaja told Fox Sports News.

He added: “He’s always been a part of our team and he’s always there no matter what the wicket is because he’s such a good bowler. But it’s really hard to get him in the game sometimes because the wickets weren’t really favouring

Also Read: Steve Smith Reveals That He Was The 12th Or 13th Spinner That Australia Tried After Shane Warne’s Retirement

Australia might face a similar situation in the spin-department like they did after Shane Warne’s retirement: Usman Khawaja

Khawaja also cautioned by the fact that Australia may once again be exposed in the spin department once Lyon retires, similar to what happened after legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne called it quits in 2007.

Australia tried as many as 14 spin options before zeroing on Nathan Lyon in 2011.

“I feel for spinners in Australia and we need to be careful here because we have an absolute genius in Nathan Lyon…but who’s coming after him?”asked Usman Khawaja

“Unless we have spinners playing day in and day out, getting involved in those match scenarios across the country, we’re going to suffer. Just like we suffered when Warnie left. I think we had a similar situation where Tassie was really green, they were trying to make really green wickets,” Khawaja added.

Khawaja is hopeful that the upcoming season will see wickets that will provide a bit more help to the spinners.

“These guys need to bowl so hopefully this year we’ve got wickets that are favourable for everyone,” he added.

Earlier, Steve O’Keefe had also raised similar concerns, stating that Australia will struggle to win in the subcontinent unless they encourage spinners by providing them something to work with, in domestic cricket.

Also Read: Australia Will Struggle To Dominate In Sub-Continent Till Spinners Are Encouraged, Says Steve O’Keefe