Usman Khawaja’s Record For Australia in Last Three Away Tours
Almost 8 years ago, Usman Khawaja made his debut for Australia. His journey in the Australian team has been a remarkable one, he had to adopt a defying only to prove the mettle of his batting prowess. Usman Khawaja’s exceptional record for Australia in last three away tours haa has been a big reason behind the team’s success.
When the team was coached by Darren Lehman, Khawaja didn’t get chance to play although he remained in the team for a long time. The question was his technique which didn’t seem convincing enough to lead him far in subcontinent and English conditions.
This is year 2023 and Khawaja has proved everyone wrong. What is batting technique, well, as long as a player is is tenacious with what he believes to be is ace working method, rest doesn’t matter. In last three away tours for Australia, Usman Khawaja has been highest scorer for the team.
Usman Khawaja Against Pakistan
The tour of Pakistan was historic as well as memorable moment in both teams’ course of play. Australia visited Pakistan with high hopes after a hiatus, on the other hand, Pakistan had the opportunity to finally establish a stronghold at home like every other team.
Usman Khawaja’s family orginally belonged from Pakistan, so it was a spiritual moment for him. Well, Khawaja scored 496 runs in 5 innings against home fed bowlers of Pakistan. This was a statement, after so long a search, Khawaja was proving to be a game changer for Australia in the opening slot.
In his first ever test in Pakistan, he scored 97 runs as no Australian player scored a century in that match. In the first innings of the second test match, Khawaja scored formidable 160 and also remained not out in the second innings.
Again Khwaja fell on 91 in the first innings of third test match, second time in the series he became prey of nervous 90s. Yet, Khawaja was the batter that mastered the conditions in no time as Australia went on to win the test series in Pakistan.
India Wasn’t Easy But Khawaja Was Prepared
At this time of his career, Usman Khawaja is enjoying his game. Every innings brings him a sense of relief. However, the start of Indian tour was dream shattering for Australia. In the second test match, on almost attending bathing wicket he made 81 as an opener on day one.
As we have seen in the past, batting in Delhi is never easy because spinners are always at work and as the match progresses things get tougher. Yet 81 by Usman Khwaja was the highest score among both sets of batsmen. From 84 for 2 to 113 all-out, it was shambolic batting performance by Australia.
Third test was produced the result Australia wanted. Finally, they won a test match in India and it was Usman Khawaja who set the tone in the first innings with hard fought 60 runs. One can tell how crucial these runs were from the fact that the second highest score by an Australian in that innings was 31 runs.
Usman Khawaja’s 180 against India in the fourth test match was second highest score by an Australian on Indian soil. The match ended in a draw but Usman Khawaja was the highest scorer in the series with 333 runs in 9 innings.
Topping The Charts in Ashes 2023
There never has been a series like Ashes 2023. It was very unconventional and against all the predictions. The era of Joe Root vs Steve Smith suddenly went beneath the surface as new run scorers emerged from both teams. Usman Khawaja’s record for Australia touched another feat when he ended as the highest run scorer in the Ashes 2023 with 496 runs in 10 innings.
Australia won the famous Edgbaston test and Khawaja scored 145 and 65 in that match. In the fifth test, Khawaja had 47 and 72 to his name with another half century in the third match. In a series, where everything was unconventional, Khawaja trusted his own approch and succeeded as the best batter of the series.
This might not be talked about but Usman Khawaja’s exceptional record for Australia in past three tours has been exceptional. He has been standout batter for the team, giving them chances to stay ahead in the game.
It is always evident that when an opener of a team does well, the rest of the batting order feels less pressure and grows accordingly. Australian team is on high spirit at the time, they are doing incredibly well in all three departments.
