Usman Khawaja Wants To Retire From Test Cricket? Aussie Opener Threatens CA
Usman Khawaja got dimissed off Jamal in SCG's 1st innings (AP Photo)
The ongoing Test match between Australia and Pakistan was halted due to bad light as overcast conditions hovered over the Sydney Cricket Ground on Day 2. The floodlights were not good enough to induce resumption of play as the visibility of the red ball was not that great under the lights.
However, the bad light has been a persistent problem at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Four of the last five Test matches held at the venue were hampered by the same issue.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Mike Baird suggested a solution to switch to pink ball. Pink ball is being specially designed for day-night Test matches. However, Australian veteran opener Usman Khawaja took a strong stand against the idea.
Khawaja Shuts Down The Idea Of Pink Ball
Khawaja opines that the beauty of Test Cricket lies in the red ball. He argued that he had played with all the balls in his extensive career and came to an understanding that each ball behaved differently. Nothing can match the effectiveness of a red ball, is what Khawaja believes.
“The red ball is so distinct,” Khawaja said. I’ve played white ball, I’ve played pink ball, I’ve played red ball. They all react so differently. Nothing reacts like that red ball. How they make it, the dye they put on it," Khawaja added.
The opening batter reckoned that weather has always been part and parcel of Test cricket since its inception. While Test cricket is the same, the fans have probably grown impatient, feels Khawaja. But either way, switching to a pink ball is not a solution perhaps the cricket authorities are looking for.
“I think the game hasn’t changed. I think people maybe are just getting a little bit more impatient. It sucks, but that’s Test cricket, unfortunately. And when it rains or when you have bad light, you just have to cop it.
“I would retire if pink balls become the bad light solution," added Khawaja.
Besides Khawaja, Australian skipper Pat Cummins also voiced an opinion similar to the former. He says switching of balls will lead to bias, and it would be difficult for both sides to keep up with the change in dynamics.
“Like anything, it’s about fairness of the game. If you’re changing balls around, it’s really hard to keep that fair for both teams,” Cummins said on Fox Sports.
The Day 2 of the SCG test between Australia and Pakistan was halted during tea as bad light stopped play. Moreover, the arrival of the drizzle led to a session washout as stumps were called early.
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