Joe Burns, Travis Head heap tons of pressure on struggling Usman Khawaja

An innocent observation from Tim Paine at his pre-match press conference illustrated the conundrum Australia has on its hands with Usman Khawaja.

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An innocent observation from Tim Paine at his pre-match press conference illustrated the conundrum Australia has on its hands with Usman Khawaja.

The batting star who was relied upon to become a giant in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner is now teetering on the edge of being sensationally dropped for the Ashes when they return.

Khawaja scored one of the great Test hundreds against Pakistan in October, but in the seven matches since, he has passed 50 just once and looked increasingly out of sorts at the crease – culminating in Friday’s duck against a second-string Sri Lanka in Canberra.

Usman Khawaja watches on as his form slump continues against Sri Lanka. (AAP Image/David Gray)

As Mark Waugh has pointed out, Khawaja’s issues appear to be just as much about the mental side of the game as his technical deficiencies.

Before the match Paine was asked a deep-thinking question about finding the right balance at practice between absorbing advice from support staff, and simply switching off to focus without outside input.

In answering, Paine emphasised that the art of preparation is not one size fits all.

“It’s very individual. Some guys don’t watch themselves bat or listen too much in team meetings,” said Paine.

“That’s fair enough. That’s how they are.

“Others lap it up and want more and more.

Khawaja’s summer has not gone as planned with the bat. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

“Marnus (Labuschagne) and Usman are probably two guys who are very different in that sense.”

Paine didn’t spell it out, but Labuschagne is the one who hangs off every word from his coaches, and Khawaja likes to do it his way.

It was a clear distinction, but not a criticism. Earlier this summer Paine emphasised that Khawaja’s cool and calm demeanour was helping his young side and Australia are rightly putting enormous stock in the fact the No.3 averages 40 in Test cricket and is a proven century-maker.

Khawaja’s approach was no different when he made his unbelievable match-saving 141 in Dubai.

“Every team’s got them and the trick is knowing how to get the best out of those players,” said Paine.

Vishwa Fernando celebrates the wicket of Khawaja at Manuka Oval. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“Usman’s a very experienced player, he knows what he wants to do and how he’s going about it, he just hasn’t scored the runs he would like.”

It’s to Australia’s credit that they support and foster different personalities.

But what happens when things aren’t working?

The cold hard facts for Australia this summer is they haven’t found a way to get the best out of Khawaja – begging the question of whether something needs to change.

Will a summer of averaging in the low 20s prompt Khawaja to consider a different approach?

Will selectors lose faith in him as their No.3 for the Ashes?

Centuries to Travis Headand Joe Burns have placed additional pressure on Khawaja. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Shane Warne wrote in his exclusive News Corp column that Australia should have dumped Khawaja for this Canberra Test to send him a message.

“I would have dropped Usman Khawaja, because he needs a kick up the backside,” Warne wrote.

Fox experts Kerry O’Keeffe and Michael Vaughan are alarmed at Khawaja’s feet looking as though they’re set in cement and worry how he can bat in the top three in England with his technique where it is right now.

Recent Test selector Mark Waugh said it was clear Khawaja needed a circuit-breaker.

“He is not in the contest at the moment. He is there in body but not in the mind. He needs a break to clear his head,” wrote Waugh on twitter.

Head and Burns scored Australia’s first tons of the Test summer. Picture. Phil Hillyard

As Khawaja struggles to stay afloat, Paine and coach Justin Langer have repeatedly raved about the way Labuschagne – the kid who laps it up – has inspired the young Australian group.

Travis Head – another young player praised for his infectious enthusiasm around the dressing room – was preferred to Khawaja as vice-captain.

The impression the young pair have left on selectors and the scoreboard has only intensified the pressure on Khawaja, as Australia prepares to crunch the numbers to get Smith and Warner back in.

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