The 28-year-old said he was excited about making a comeback
Australia ‘A' skipper Usman Khawaja during a training session at Chepauk on Monday. (Photo: E.K. SANJAY)
Chennai: Usman Khawaja’s debut during the 2010-11 Ashes series was a milestone in Australian cricket. The Islamabad-born became the first muslim cricketer to be presented with a baggy green when he replaced an injured Ricky Ponting.
The celebrated entry, however, hasn’t lived up to the expectations as Khawaja has played just nine Tests and three ODIs till date.
A rare injury — anterior cruciate ligament tear — that required a full knee reconstruction curtailed his season in 2014 when it looked the left-hander was on course for an Australian recall.
After spending seven months on the sidelines, Khawaja is now entrusted with the responsibility of leading Australia ‘A’ in two four-day matches to be held here in Chennai from Wednesday.
The 28-year-old said he was excited about making a comeback.
“I don’t put any game on a pedestal, so it’s just another chance to play cricket. A seven-month gap is a long time away from the game and I have never had such a long break. But, I have played enough cricket in my career to know what to expect while coming off an injury break. It’s been tough and I am just excited to be back,” said Khawaja.
Khawaja, a qualified commercial pilot, can take inspiration from his India counterpart Cheteshwar Pujara who had made a successful recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery in 2011.
“It’s rare, but I am not the only person who underwent that surgery. I wouldn’t be playing if I am not confident,” he added.
Having been part of the Australia squad that toured India in 2013, Khawaja is no stranger to conditions in the subcontinent. The skipper urged his batsmen to keep it simple in order to achieve success.
“I have told them not to change too much from how they play. You have to be positive and trust your defence. In India, runs will come in clusters and it’s different from how we play back home,” said Khawaja who expects the wicket to turn from day three even though the Chepauk strip is believed to have some grass cover.
For Aussie batsman Joe Burns, the India tour is an opportunity to reclaim his place in the senior team.
“It’s hard to get into the Australian side which is fantastic. It will be my first experience of playing in India and I am just trying to make as many runs as possible,” said Burns, who scored a pair of half-centuries against India at the Sydney Test earlier this year.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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