Captain Steve Smith hails Usman Khawaja as Australia’s new batting linchpin

USMAN Khawaja came into this Test as a man, who rightly or wrongly wasn’t guaranteed his place, but has emerged the man Australia wants to build their entire game plan around.

Usman Khawaja celebrates reaching his ton.

USMAN Khawaja has announced himself as the new benchmark for Australian cricket in the eyes of his captain Steve Smith.

The match-winning hundred from Khawaja that spanned three days of the pink ball Test, now stands as the template Smith wants his top six to aspire to.

Khawaja came into this Test as a man, who rightly or wrongly wasn’t guaranteed his place, but has emerged a senior man Australia wants to build their entire game plan around.

“That’s the kind of template we’re looking for in our top six batters,” said Smith.

“Definitely, I think with him at No.3 and myself at 4, there’s a bit more experience (to build the order around).

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Usman Khawaja celebrates reaching his ton.

“With some of the younger guys around hopefully we can lead the way and show them how to bat.

“Uzzie certainly did that in this Test match and he’s done it all summer to be fair.

“He’s been a little bit stiff to not go on and get another big score but I thought this Test match he played beautifully and I’m sure we’ll see some more big runs from him this summer.”

South African captain Faf du Plessis said Khawaja’s ton was all that stopped his side galloping to a whitewash victory.

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A willingness to bat time and to make sacrifices for the team is the mantra Australia must live by if they’re to rise up from rock bottom.

“Uz was outstanding to come in under a pretty tricky situation on that (first) night. He opened the batting and got through that difficult period in the night and then batted the whole next day,” said Smith.

“It shows a lot about his character and what he’s willing to do and I thought he played beautifully to stay out there for seven hours and wear them down.”

Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja celebrate a South African wicket.

Khawaja made a 97 and a 50 in the first two Tests, but failed to go on with the job.

The 29-year-old has been criticised for his attitude over recent months, but Khawaja’s reaction to his hundred in Adelaide has shown that he is all about the team.

Khawaja has learnt not to be stressed out by outside noises and is satisfaction is dictated by the team result.

“It’s obviously very special,” said Khawaja.

“Any hundred for Australia is very special. The fact we won the game makes it even more special.

“It doesn’t have the same feeling when you lose a game.”