David Warner says Usman Khawaja deserves to play for Australia again after back injury rules him out of Brisbane Test
David Warner says the criticism levelled at Usman Khawaja is similar to the flak he copped in his final home summer – and selectors need to bring him back.
David Warner argues that long-time friend and former Test opening partner Usman Khawaja deserves a chance to play again in this Ashes series as Steve Smith conceded he wasn’t sure whether the veteran would return for Australia.
Ruled out of the second Test with a back injury, Khawaja will remain with the Australian squad to continue to his rehabilitation.
However a fortnight away from turning 39, Khawaja’s international career could be over, particularly if the Aussies’ revamped opening pairing of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald fires at the Gabba this week.
But Warner, commentating on this Ashes series for Kayo Sports, said Khawaja had earned the chance to be recalled to the XI once fit again from the back trouble that caused him to be dislodged from his spot at the top of the order in both innings of the first Test, paving the way for Head to make his sensational second innings century at Perth Stadium.
“Yeah, most definitely, I think he deserves that,” Warner told this masthead when asked if Khawaja should get another crack.
“He’s got the numbers to stack up behind him. Yes, what Trav did was remarkable and unbelievable, but at the end of the day that was Heady’s one innings. He has to try and back that up as well.
“And that’s not saying that Travis can’t do that, but he took England by surprise. Now I can’t see them going short tactics again this game with that pink ball. But yeah again, if Travis comes out and scores runs, then there’s always that debate.”
Khawaja is averaging 30.27 in Test cricket since the start of 2024, with his sole century coming in the form of a career-best 232 against Sri Lanka in Galle earlier this year.
Warner likened the situation with Khawaja to scrutiny that faced him late in his own Test career, which ended almost two years ago.
“You do have those honest conversations, and they probably are having those honest conversations behind closed doors,” Warner added.
“For Uzzy’s sake, hopefully he can recover from this and he comes back out on Boxing Day and score some runs.”
Speaking at the Gabba on Wednesday, Smith - who captained Australia in the first Test - said he wasn’t sure whether Khawaja would again represent his country.
“All I can say is, as I’ve said before, he’s been a quality player for a long time, he’s done exceptionally well, and I know he still works really hard on his game,” Smith said.
“And I played the (Sheffield) Shield game out here a few weeks ago, and he batted really nicely for the 90 that he scored. So he’s in good form. He’s had one hit (making two in the first Test) where he was injured. Didn’t do well with his injury, obviously, but he’s a quality player.
“So it’s not for me to answer whether I think that’s going to happen or not, but all I know is, he’s been very good for a long time.”
Smith meanwhile said that Khawaja’s description of the Perth day one pitch as “a piece of s***” was “probably not the words I would have used, but it (the pitch) was tricky.”
Khawaja has escaped formal sanctions for his remarks, made at a luncheon for his foundation, but has been spoken to by senior team personnel.
“Usman’s comments were not reflective of how the team viewed the pitch and Perth Stadium personnel are aware of this,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.
Originally published as David Warner says Usman Khawaja deserves to play for Australia again after back injury rules him out of Brisbane Test
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