Published: Feb 12, 2017, 09:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 13, 2017, 11:53 AM (IST)
Usman Khawaja is expected to play a key role for Australia when the side tours India later this month. Currently, the Australian side is busy training in Dubai, getting accustomed to the warm subcontinent conditions before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy gets underway. Khawaja, who has a dismal record in Asia (115 runs from 4 Tests at 19.16), found a unique way to get dismissed in the intra-squad practice match.
Yes, coach Darren Lehmann, who was umpiring the game, ruled that the plastic chair fielding at forward short-leg had plucked a fine low catch. Khawaja was batting on 39 and had struck 6 boundaries before being dismissed off the bowling of new recruit leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. Khawaja looking to play it down the leg-side got an inside edge on to his pad as the ball lobbed to the forward short-leg region. Swepson was quick to appeal and after a few thoughtful moments, umpire Lehmann adjudged the left-hander out. The chair that fielded throughout the game finally made a vital contribution. Cricket Australia posted the video from their official Instagram account. READ MORE: Australia use chair as forward short-leg during intra-squad match
Rare, isn’t it? This does make us re-think about a chair’s contribution in international cricket. Meanwhile, if you wondered how did the chair take the catch? Glenn Maxwell went on to describe the act.
Australia have regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home in 2014-14 when they beat India 2-0. However, in 2012-13, Australia were thumped 0-4 in India. They will look to avoid the same against the No.1-ranked Virat Kohli-led India. The first Test begins at Pune on February 23.
