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Cricket World Cup 2019

Khawaja in a happy space despite opening puzzle

by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

After giving the latest audition of his opening credentials, with a composed 89 in Australia’s World Cup warm-up match against Sri Lanka, Usman Khawaja said that he is in a good space mentally and isn’t worried about his position in Australia’s XI at the marquee tournament.

Khawaja has been the year’s highest run-scorer, with 769 runs at 59.15, and two centuries and six fifties in 13 innings, with a bulk of those runs coming while opening the innings. But amid stiff competition for the opening slots, with captain Aaron Finch and the returning David Warner also vying for them, Khawaja’s place at the top isn’t assured.

If his spectacular performances this year haven’t been enough, Khawaja even survived an injury scare while fielding against Sri Lanka, before shepherding Australia’s successful chase, which they achieved  with 31 balls and five wickets to spare.

“I’m in a place in my life and my career, where I’m really enjoying my cricket,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “I’m going to keep trying to have fun. It’s a World Cup, I’m going to do my best, whatever I have to do. Whether I’m playing, whether I’m not playing, I want to do my best.”

Khawaja has been at the centre of two injury scares within the span of a week. On May 22, he was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the side of his head by an Andre Russell bouncer during Australia’s first warm-up game against West Indies.

Usman Khawaja had to be helped off the field against Sri Lanka

On Monday, May 27, he suffered a blow to his left knee while fielding, and had to be helped off the field. It is the same knee on which he has been operated twice. “It’s fine, embarrassing more than anything,” he said. “It just hit the side of my knee and I couldn’t put any weight on it.

“My knee collapsed underneath me because of where it hit. I went off, iced it, and after about 25 minutes, I felt all right. It’s a bit sore now, but nothing structurally wrong”.

Khawaja has opened in 20 out of the 30 ODI innings he has played, maintaining a healthy average of 53.63 while doing so. He has also been tried at the No. 3 slot, but has never batted below that. However, against England, Khawaja was used at No. 5, and he maintained that he is open to batting anywhere in the order.

“There are some things I can’t control,” he said. “I’ve been in and out of the teams as much as anyone. It’s a privilege to play for Australia, so I’m just glad to be here.

“We all know each other pretty well. Finchy, Davey and myself are all the same age. We’ve batted with each other so many times, so it’s quite easy, no matter who you bat with.”

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