Published: Sep 01, 2017, 05:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 01, 2017, 05:00 PM (IST)
After losing the first Test against Bangladesh by 20 runs, the Australian media started scrutinising their team’s mediocre performance. The player in focus is Usman Khawaja who made a mere 2 runs.
Khawaja, who averages 14.62 on Asian tracks, replaced the injured Shaun Marsh. He was expected to make amends, just like his teammate David Warner in alien conditions.
Coming out in support of the struggling Khawaja is former Australia legend, Michael Hussey, who feels that Khawaja has been out of match practice and should be given more chances to prove himself.
cricket.com.au quoted Hussey, “You shouldn’t be judging someone on a couple of innings, and in one of those innings he [Khawaja] was run-out. He hasn’t played any cricket for so long, so it’s going to take time for him to get back in and get up to speed with that match hardness. Even in the IPL he just sat on the bench the whole time, so it’s difficult and it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
He further added that selectors should show faith in Khawaja, much like they did in Nathan Lyon. “I know there’s going to be doubters out there but (Khawaja is) a quality player. He’s class, and if you show the faith, show that you believe in him, you’ll get the best out of him. If you start chopping and changing, and sending those messages that you’re not backing him, then you’re going to get these inconsistent performances.
“And it’s shown with someone like Nathan Lyon – he throughout his career has had a lot of doubters, but the selectors have shown faith in him over a period of time and believed in him, and look at him now; he’s repaid that in spades. I think Usman Khawaja is in the same boat: we know he’s a good player, we know he’s got class, (so) just show that belief and faith in him and he will repay it in spades, I promise you,” Hussey said.
Australia take on Bangladesh in the second Test at Chittagong on September 4.
