Usman Khawaja’s impressive comeback in the fourth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) helped the Aussies post a total of 416/8 in the first innings. The southpaw, who was filling in for Travis Head and playing his first Test since 2019, scored 137 off 260 to keep Australia in the game.
Ricky Ponting, however, has cast doubts on Khawaja’s chances of continuing in the post despite his century. Ponting told cricket.com.au that Head batted brilliantly in Brisbane and Adelaide, doing exactly what the team needed him to do. Despite Head’s backing in Australia’s top eleven, he believes Khawaja’s form makes him stronger.
He commented that Head has been excellent in the series so far. Also, in Brisbane he had seen him bat, it was his best performance. He made a special mention of the cameo in Adelaide when his team needed him to go out and score quickly.
According to Ponting, this knock could reinforce in Khawaja’s mind that he is still good enough for the international stage and provide the selectors with ammo for the future teams they are picking. However, he looked worried about the opener’s position in the next Test. He continued, “It just happens, it’s a big call. But you have to go back to your first pick, because at the start of the series it was the strongest XI that Australia could get out.”
Khawaja along with Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc helped Australia to a challenging total. This year’s tours of the subcontinent could be seasoned for Baggy Green’s hopes, including the upcoming tour of Pakistan.
Ponting cited inconsistency as a primary source of criticism, splitting Khawaja’s career. However, the 47-year-old praised the Pakistan-born cricketer’s ability to stand out in tough situations. According to him, Khawaja has been a bit misunderstood as a player and a person throughout his career, which is what a lot of people have done against him. Ponting insisted on remembering how he got this century and also look at other examples of his career when things have been tough, he found a way to work for himself and the team.
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