For the
third time in three Test innings Usman Khawaja was in a position to have a good time a century on the SCG and, although he could have spent two nights unbeaten 195 and hoping for the possibility for a maiden double-ton, he was relieved to convert into three figures in a irritating season.
Khawaja had made constant contributions for each Queensland within the Sheffield Shield after which
against West Indies, however had not been in a position to flip one in every of his 5 half-centuries into one thing extra substantial. However, he nonetheless ended 2022 with greater than 1000 runs in Test cricket and has now cashed in firstly of the brand new 12 months.
“I’ve played some really good cricket this year and haven’t cracked a hundred,” he stated. “Got three 50s in the Shield in consecutive games then got a couple of 50s at the start of the Test tour. Then a diabolical wicket at the Gabba and we won which was fine, [and] missed out last game. More of a personal battle when I got to fifty, continuing the process and see how long I can continue for. To get that reward was a nice feeling, I feel like I’m doing all the right things.”
It was troublesome for Khawaja to examine the expertise this 12 months along with his comeback centuries in opposition to England as a result of that chance had been so surprising. However, he continues to be in a candy spot within the latter levels of his profession the place he’s batting serenely and is savouring the setting of the Test facet created by coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins.
“Best environment I’ve been in,” he stated. “I haven’t done a warm-up in about seven Test matches. Nothing hurts you more than a warm-up. Think it’s added two more years to my career, 100%. Ron’s [McDonald] been great about that, so has Patty. It’s those small things that has really helped the environment. I used to find it really intense and it used to take a lot of mental energy, all the, I call it the fluff, the box ticking. Since I’ve been back there really hasn’t been any of that. It has really opened up a lot of space in the mind.”
After glancing skywards on citing his hundred, Khawaja introduced out one other of the dance-transfer celebrations that he unfurled in opposition to England. “Religion is a big part of my life…my family and religion the two most important things in my life,” he stated. “I keep the religion thing pretty private and do my own thing. The celebrations after it, I always enjoying bringing a bit of colour to Test cricket, both figuratively and literally.”
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He is trying ahead to subsequent month’s tour of India, believing he is taking part in “as well as ever” in opposition to spin, though was cautious about linking circumstances on the SCG – which have been tempered by the rain – to what Australia will face on that journey. His success
in Pakistan last year, the runs he scored on the
2019 one-day tour the place he was Player of the Series and for Australia A go away him with loads of good recollections to draw on.
“There’s no guarantee in cricket, I could get eight ducks in a row, but I know a process that works for me,” he stated.
Regardless of whether or not Khawaja will get the possibility to cross 200 – the chances recommend he’ll get the chance as Australia look to prolong the comply with-heading in the right direction until day 4 is additional delayed by rain, which may very well be the case – South Africa face a giant job to bat for the most effective a part of two days to save the sport given they’ve
passed 200 once in their last eight innings. However, they’ve been urged to take a leaf out of Khawaja’s e book.
“You can easily go into that mindset of just trying to survive…in comparison to still being in a positive mindset, that doesn’t mean you need to be reckless,” batting coach Justin Sammons stated. “What Khawaja has done so well is to stay in his game plan. He was positive, but scored within his game plan, think that will be key for us. We’ve still got this game then two against West Indies to finish our season and we want to take as much confidence going into that series as we can.”
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