Ashes 2021-22: Travis Head's selfless Usman Khawaja prediction after SCG return

Travis Head has backed his Ashes replacement Usman Khawaja to bat himself back into the Australian side and fulfil a lifelong dream. Re-live all the SCG action here.

Joe Root has been under constant pressure all series. Picture: Getty Images

Usman Khawaja has been endorsed by the man he replaced, to convert his unexpected SCG return into an even more treasured homecoming in Pakistan.

Travis Head was forced to give up his place at No.5 to Khawaja for the Sydney Test due to his COVID diagnosis, but that hasn’t stopped the batting star from backing his fellow left-hander to bat his way into the Australian team permanently for the team’s big overseas challenge in March.

Head is assured of reclaiming his place for the Ashes finale in Hobart next week, but Khawaja will resume on day two knowing that a big score on the ground he regards as his spiritual home could springboard him to fulfilling another lifelong dream of playing a Test in the country of his birth.

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Khawaja grew up a stone’s throw from the SCG and made his Test debut there against England a decade ago – and the fans haven’t forgotten him, with the SCG faithful of 25,078 giving him the biggest ovation of the day when he walked out to the crease late in the piece following the quick loss of Marcus Harris (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (28).

Australia finished a rain interrupted start to the SCG Test at 3-126, with old junior buddies Steve Smith (6 not out) and Khawaja 4 (not out) back together again and charged with putting their side into the ascendancy after a fighting England broke even to start the New Year.

Khawaja’s last overseas date with Pakistan produced his greatest ever Test hundred, and even after a world-beating summer by Australia – Head believes the 35-year-old veteran has the ability to prove in Sydney why he should bustle his way into the XI for sub-continental conditions.

Travis Head and Usman Khawaja have a strong relationship despite being batting rivals.

“I know Pat spoke highly of him over the past 24 hours about his calm, consistent attitude and what he brings,” said Head.

“He’s played a lot of cricket. I think he’s someone moving forward when we go to Pakistan, he had a great series in Dubai (in 2018) and he’s going to play a role over the next 12-24 months (in the Test team).

“He brings a lot to the group with that calm, consistent ability and I’m hopeful he goes out and shows that.”

The camaraderie between Head and Khawaja is strong despite the fact the South Australian narrowly beat him to the No.5 position at the start of the summer.

COVID restrictions have meant spare squad members like Khawaja have played no cricket for nearly two months now – but Head is confident Queensland’s captain can overcome any rust and make England’s bowlers pay on a wicket that should flatten out even more for run-scorers.

“I’ve spoken to him. I sent a message to him wishing him all the best,” said Head.

“I feel like I’m in a great space and I feel like he’s the same coming into this series. We spoke about whoever got that nod was hopefully going to play their best cricket and that’s the beauty of it.

“He’s spoken about getting out there and getting in sync quickly and then get into his work. I think that was the only (question) over the next five days is his ability to go from net play to game play so quickly but he’s an experienced player so I have no doubt he’ll be able to do the job.”

Usman Khawaja will resume his innings on day 2.

Australian opener David Warner looked in good nick again as he charged to 30, before he fell to nemesis Stuart Broad for the 13th time in his Test career to further highlight the mystery of why England didn’t put faith in that match-up when the series opened a month ago at the Gabba.

Harris and Labuschagne continued to build the innings with a strong partnership built in between the raindrops, but James Anderson and Mark Wood followed up from Broad’s good work to make a double-breakthrough which left England feeling pleased.

“It was a stop starty sort of day to get the wickets at the end and change perspective of the game was a big deal,” said Wood.

Warner said the rain made it a difficult day after captain Pat Cummins won the toss – and said the wicket demands Australia put on a big first innings total.

“You have to readjust when we come off and then go back on again. Obviously it’s not ideal,” said Warner.

“Given the weather that was around and the wicket was a day harder than it would have normally been. I can see some cracks that are underneath, and definitely batting first we need to maximize our first innings.

“Day four and five is going to be very interesting and awesome to play.”

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