Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed Usman Khawaja to reclaim his position at first drop for the opening Test of the summer. Khawaja was dropped for the third Test on the recent Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka after the left-hander managed scores of 26, 18, 11 and 0 in the first two matches of the 3-0 series loss.
The left-hander joined fellow Queenslander Joe Burns on the sidelines for the series’ final Test in Colombo, but coach Darren Lehman said after the match both men would be considered for the first Test of the Australian summer on the back of their imperious record on home soil.
Khawaja scored four Test centuries last summer three in Australia and further ton across the Tasman against New Zealand – and Clarke believes that from will see the 29-year-old return to his favoured No. 3 position for the first Test against the Proteas in Perth.
I think they’ll pick Uzzie (Khawaja),” Clarke said on Saturday. “I thought he had a magnificent summer in Australia. “He’s extremely talented and a top fella as well, so he is a big part of their team.
Australians are currently touring South Africa. The five-match ODI series will start on September 30.
Australia lost their last ODI and Test series against Sri Lanka they will look to salvage their performance against South Africa at familiar situations.