Khawaja: Hamstring good after T20 ton
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja says his hamstring is feeling stronger than ever after scoring a century for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League on Sunday to all but seal his Test place for Boxing Day.
The left-hander, who opened the batting, scored a superb unbeaten 109 and helped the Thunder beat the Melbourne Stars by one run at the MCG.
Khawaja, who scored consecutive Test centuries against New Zealand earlier in the summer before getting injured, will most likely slot straight back into the Australia team to take on the West Indies in the second Test of the series.
The 29 year-old Khawaja said: "I'm stoked I got some batting time. To score a hundred in a T20 game is not an easy thing to do, so I'm just very happy with how things are working out.
"But there's still a lot of work to do so I'm trying to keep my head down. I feel really good, just normal, general soreness … I pushed myself pretty hard, in terms of my hammy rehab, in terms of my running, in terms of my conditioning work.
"My hamstrings are definitely stronger than they have been in the last three years. The last testing I had to do on Friday was a hamstring strength test and my hamstrings came up stronger than they have been in the last three years.
"I did a lot of hard work in the last four weeks. The trainers up at the NCC pushed me pretty hard. That's what I needed to do. That's all I can control."
The Australia selectors will have a tough choice on who leave out as Shaun Marsh, who replaced Khawaja, scored 182 against the Windies in the first Test.
Latest
-
NewsEngland’s ‘frightening’ batting options mean the heat is always on – Jason Roy
Roy insists the competition for his role as opener will not affect the way he plays.
-
NewsJoe Root named on shortlist for ICC cricketer of the decade
Award winners will be announced in December.
-
NewsBatting strength has England in strong position for T20 World Cup – Jason Roy
Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are among the options at the top of the order.
-
NewsICC elect Greg Barclay as new chairman
New Zealander Greg Barclay assumes the wheel at the ICC.
-
NewsSilverwood unlikely to try Stokes-Buttler IPL job swap for England
Ben Stokes was promoted to the top of the order and Jos Buttler slotted in down at number five for Rajasthan Royals recently.
-
NewsRassie upbeat ahead of T20 series despite contrasting build-ups
South Africa have not played together since March while England had a full international programme over the summer.
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.