Usman Khawaja says hard work paid off in maiden one-day ton while Aaron Finch is back in form
Aaron Finch capitalised on a generous credit line from national selectors while Usman Khawaja shored up his World Cup credentials with his maiden one-day ton against India.
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Aaron Finch capitalised on a generous credit line from national selectors while Usman Khawaja showcased World Cup credentials with a match-winning, maiden one-day ton against India in Ranchi.
Khawaja’s (104, 113 balls) first one-day ton in his 24th game delivered a 32-run win in Ranchi despite another masterpiece from Indian skipper Virat Kohli (123).
“It is huge. The first one is always the hardest, I found the same in Test match cricket and one-day cricket,” said Khawaja who staged a 193-run opening stand with Finch (93).
“I am really enjoying my cricket, a good bunch of blokes, I am just glad we got the win and I was able to contribute.”
Spin was once kryptonite to Khawaja on the subcontinent but the left-hander neutralised Ravi Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. South Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa (3/70) bowled MS Dhoni and Kohli.
“I have worked really hard the last year on my fitness to get back in the one-day side, put in the extra yards. It is even nicer now to get that 100 and win,” he said.
Finch ended a drought of 22 limited overs knocks without a half-century as Australia kept the series alive at 2-1. Australian skipper Finch relied on a Shikhar Dhawan spill on 17 for a breakthrough knock.
“He showed his class and deserved a 100. That is really good for the team. When Aaron Finch is firing Australian one-day cricket is going really well,” said 32-year-old Khawaja of Finch.
“He is putting in a lot of hard work behind the scenes and nice that is translating to the game. Hopefully he can keep doing it.”
National chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns has 18 names on a World Cup whiteboard that must be reduced to 15 by April 23. Steve Smith and David Warner are recovering from elbow injuries but Hohns says ‘there are still others on the sidelines at home that could consider themselves a chance’ of World Cup selection. Head and keeper-batsman Matt Wade must envy opportunity afforded to one-day rivals including Peter Handscomb, Finch, Khawaja and Shaun Marsh.
Head was Australia best performed batsman with 518 one-day runs behind David Warner’s 691 in 2017 but selectors have gone cold on their best young strokeplayer. Even a Test average of 51 couldn’t book a start in World Cup dress rehearsals against India then Pakistan later this month.
The century opening stand between Finch and Khawaja was Australia’s fourth since its last one-day series win against Pakistan in January 2017. Two of those century opening stands featured Head including a record 284-run demolition of Pakistan with David Warner in Adelaide.
Australia’s chances of levelling the series 2-2 in Mohali have been boosted with MS Dhoni to be rested but keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is a proven replacement in a gifted side.
“India is always strong, really good players coming in. You can’t take anything for granted,” said Khawaja.
Originally published as Usman Khawaja says hard work paid off in maiden one-day ton while Aaron Finch is back in form
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