Usman Khawaja in tenacious pitch for Ashes inclusion

Usman Khawaja has made bigger scores this summer but an impressive innings against Western Australia at the Gabba sees him ride into the Ashes training camp with the wind at his back.

Usman Khawaja on the attack at the Gabba. Picture: Getty Images.

Usman Khawaja has made bigger scores this summer but an impressive innings against Western Australia at the Gabba sees him ride into the Ashes training camp with the wind at his back.

There’s plenty of jostling for attention in Australian cricket on the eve of the Ashes and the 34-year-old is near the front of the queue.

He was the only batsman to make double figures against WA on a hectic Gabba deck on the first day of their Sheffield Shield match.

Batting at No4 Queensland Khawaja was last man out, his 70 from 138 balls the only contribution of note in a first innings total of 129.

If the question on selectors minds is who would you like to see facing Stuart Broad and James Anderson on the first morning of the Gabba Test then the veteran made a solid case for choosing him ahead of Marcus Harris.

Khawaja showed the sort of maturity and talent that will be invaluable should a England get similar conditions — low skies and juicy wicket.

Facing an attack that includes Joel Paris (2-19), Richardson, Cameron Green (1-25), Cameron Gannon (0-26) and Lance Morris (4-21) he survived a simple dropped chance early then launched some power hitting once he found himself with the tail.

Khawaja, who has an average of 40 from 44 Tests, scored centuries in his two previous first class innings but has not been invited back into the Australian rooms since he was replaced by Mitch Marsh in the 2019 Ashes.

The veteran could open or slot into the middle order of an Ashes line up, as such his competition is Harris in the first place and Travis Head or Marsh again in the middle.

Harris, who has averaged 23.7 in his 10 Test career, began the first class summer with a century but failed in the most recent match against NSW. His winter in England was productive and gained good reviews.

Marsh is intimidating ring fielders, bowlers and his batting partner in white ball cricket but will only have the three day game to warm up for the Ashes — which puts him in the same boat as David Warner and Steve Smith.

Jhye Richardson, who will be conscious competition for a bowling place thinned with James Pattinson’s retirement from international cricket made the most of the opportunity and took 3-38.

Pattinson has been suspended from Friday’s 50 over game against NSW after a frustrated throw at the stumps struck Dan Hughes in the last match.

There is a strong push for Victorian quick Scott Boland with he quick who has taken 15 wickets in the past two Shield games to be considered but The Australian can reveal he was not extended an invite to the three day game which is considered a last chance to bid for inclusion in the Ashes squad.

Mark Steketee, Sean Abbott, Michael Neser and Richardson are expected to be included in the pre-Ashes match.

Bushranger’s Nic Maddinson is in the mix having received a call up and showing his talent with a century in the last game to back up strong performances since moving to Victoria three years ago.

Neser however pulled up abruptedly during his bowling stint yesterday and immediately left the field, with the extent of the problem unclear.

Ealier the Queenslander, who has played bridesmaid in the Test squad for a few seasons now, showed no ill effects from skipping the last two Shield games on paternity leave.

He had Cameron Bancroft caught behind first ball of the visitors innings.

Australia’s expanded squad for the possible v probable game will gather in Queensland from November 27 with those still on Shield duty joining a little later.

The three day game planned is planned for December 1. Australia used a similar talent identification match before the 2019 Ashes when most senior players were coming off a period playing only white ball cricket in the World Cup.