Usman Khawaja, the opening batsman for Australia, thinks that the pitches in England are the ultimate test for top-three batsmen and that the best way to prepare for them is to work extremely hard and have very low expectations. Given that he has scored an incredible 1,608 runs at 69.91 in 16 Tests since recalled to the Test squad in January last year, Khawaja has struggled in English conditions, averaging just 19.66 from six matches. This is a below-average performance from him. The 36-year-old is anticipated to play a key role in both the World Test Championship championship match against India and the ensuing five-match Ashes series in England.
Before the Ashes begin on June 16 in Birmingham, Australia will play India in the WTC final at The Oval in London beginning on June 7. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, the Australian team will try to win their first series in the UK since 2001.
Usman Khawaja reported as saying, “England is, in my opinion, the toughest place in the world to bat for a top three batsman, plain and simple,” by cricket.com.au here.
“New ball is hard work, but then you get some (weather) conditions, and it’s a little bit of luck, too; sometimes you get the other team out, then suddenly the clouds roll over, other times you’re out there and it’s nice and sunny.” He said that because of the unpredictable weather, it was risky to bat on English wickets and that one should seize any possibilities that come their way.
If there is anything I’ve learned, it is to work hard, train hard, and, if you’re going to England, go there with low expectations. Then, focus on each game individually because you will fail as a batter. The batting legend added, “But when you do score, you try to cash in as much as you can.
On the 2013 and 2019 visits, Khawaja each played three Ashes Tests. But he fired before the conclusion of both series.
Despite feeling like a lot better player than he did ten years ago. The seasoned cricketer admits there is no guarantee when going up against England bowling greats James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
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