Khawaja: I’m not a big believer in form

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has only scored 14 runs in ODI cricket, but hopes his recent superb form will carry through to the national side when they face New Zealand in the second ODI in Wellington.

The Black Caps won the first match by a massive 159 runs, as the Aussies were bowled out for 148, and Khawaja is set to come into the side to replace Shaun Marsh. Khawaja was the top run scorer in the Big Bash League last month.

The batsman, who last played an ODI three years ago, said of his form over the past six months: "Different conditions, different team. I'm not a big believer in form to be honest so I just got to go out and keep doing the same things – watching the ball, keeping it simple.

"It's a new challenge out there so nothing I did previously has any effect on what I hopefully do tomorrow. The past is done. I'm feeling really good right now and but that doesn't always mean I'm going to score runs.

"I'm just going to try and contribute to the team to hopefully get us a win in this second game."

Of the challenge presented by the hosts, he added: "They're a very good one-day team as we saw them making the World Cup Final, and they're very good at home as we are as well. They're going to come hard again.

"If they win this one they win the series, but we can't concentrate too much other than what we've been doing. We had an off day the other day – no matter who you are, that happens.

"We don't have to worry about that too much, we just have to keep doing the basics right and we're a good enough team to do the basics right.

"If everyone plays and everyone does what they're supposed to we're pretty confident we can come away with a win. But then again if they do the same thing it will be pretty tough too."

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