Ashes 2021-22: "Not Expecting To Play The Next Test Match"-Usman Khawaja On Playing Hobart Test

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has made a dream come back to test cricket. He made a century in both innings of the Sydney Test placing his side in a great position to win the fourth Test match. Khawaja scored 137 and 101 * playing his first Test match since 2019. England ended day four on 30 for no loss requiring another 358 runs to win on day five.

Australia posted 416/8 in the first innings and 265/6 in their second innings with Usman Khawaja playing a key role in both innings with the bat. The southpaw who replaced Travis Head in the playing XI said he is living his dream at the moment. However, he denied any hopes of making the playing XI for the final Test in Hobart.

“At the moment I’m not really expecting to play the next test match, but I’ll always be ready for whatever happens. Who knows, someone else might get COVID, something might happen. You got to stay ready” Khawaja said on Saturday.

Khawaja further spoke about the selectors being very clear and open to him about his place in the test team. He said that he had some lovely conversations with the selectors who have been very transparent about his position in the Test team.

“Once you get selected for Australia, I think you should get a fair crack at it for a while. You put all that hard effort to get up there and to be selected.”

“I’ve been on both sides. I’ve been dropped and picked and dropped and picked. I really enjoyed the process and the conversations the selectors had with the players,” he added.

Really Enjoyed The Process: Usman Khawaja

England, on the other hand, need to create history to win the fourth Test in Sydney. 288 is the record fourth innings total that has been chased in Sydney by Ricky Ponting’s Australia back in 2006 against South Africa.

England openers and Haseeb Hameed (8*) and Zak Crawley (22*) have started on a good note but have a lot of rebuilding to do. The total will also test the England middle-order with the Australia bowlers having their tail up on the final day. The fifth and final Test match in Hobart starts on January 14.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG Live 2022 Test Schedule, Squads, Live Streaming And Live Telecast Channel In India, Venues