It looks like Usman Khawaja will make his return to the playing XI of Australian cricket team during the Test series against Bangladesh, as skipper Steven Smith has backed the left-handed top order batsman and has said Khawaja will get his opportunity during the series,
“I think Usman’s going to be a really big player for us this Ashes summer. He’s done incredibly well in Australia over the last couple of years and it would be good for him to (play) some cricket… he’s chomping at the bit to get out there and I daresay he’ll get his opportunity,” Smith told reporters ahead of departure to Bangladesh.
Khawaja, who made his Test debut in 2011, made few appearances for Australia before being dropped in 2013. He made his comeback two years later and went onto score three centuries in his first four comeback matches.
Since then though, he reached the triple figure mark only once but played his part well in the Test series against South Africa and Pakistan.
However, his technique was questioned after his poor show on the tour to Sri Lanka, where spinners played a vital role in hosts clean sweeping the visitors. His poor form against spinners forced skipper to keep Khawaja benched for the Tests series against India and he also lost his place in ODI team for the ICC Champions Trophy.
However, keeping the upcoming home Ashes series in mind, Smith seems to test out his player in challenging conditions and by backing them.
The two Test series between Australia and Bangladesh starts from August 27, with the first Test to be played at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. The second and the last game of the series will be played in Chittagong from September 4. Prior to the start of international fixtures, the Steven Smith-led side will face a side from Bangladesh at Fatullah in a two-day practice game so as to get used to the conditions in Bangladesh.
This is Australia’s first Test tour to Bangladesh after a long wait of more than 10 years.