• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Might Be Hard On Uzzy Clarke Casts Doubt Over Khawajas Place In Aus Playing Xi For 3rd Test

"Might be hard on Uzzy": Clarke casts doubt over Khawaja’s place in AUS playing XI for 3rd Test

Poulomi Chakraborty

Michael Clarke on Khawaja (Source: @7Cricket/x.com, @cricketcomau/x.com)Michael Clarke on Khawaja (Source: @7Cricket/x.com, @cricketcomau/x.com)

As the Ashes returned with yet another thrilling season, Australia had a dreamy start to the tournament, leading the series by a 2-0 margin. After missing out on the second Test match of the series, Aussie batter Usman Khawaja has returned to the squad for the third Test match of the series.

Even after Khawaja returned, former Australian captain Michael Clarke cast doubts on his place in Australia’s playing XI. Clarke believed the selectors would back Khawaja, but he still questioned whether it was the right call.

Clarke questions if Khawaja truly fits into the playing XI

Since the Ashes started, ace Australian batter Usman Khawaja faced some massive woes. During the first Test match in Perth, Khawaja suffered a back spasm and didn’t bat in the second innings. Things hit rock bottom when he failed to recover in time and was ruled out of the Gabba Test.

Ahead of the third Test, Khawaja came back to the 15-member squad, but former Australian captain Michael Clarke doubted his place in the playing XI. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he stated that the selectors might push Khawaja back into the top order, but the move would remain highly questionable in his eyes.

“I think the selectors will pick him [Usman Khawaja]. I think he'll be back at the top of the order. I don't know if I would make a change, to be honest. I think I've said before, normally with senior players like that and certainly when you get to that age, you're selected for big tournaments, either a World Cup or an Ashes series, and at the end of those, your time is done,” he said.
"Australia are 2-0 up. We've got someone at the top of the order that scored an unbelievable hundred [Travis Head]. I don't know if they need to go back to that now. I know that might be hard on Uzzy because he's had a wonderful career and been a big player,” he added.

Khawaja’s place under fire after Head-Weatherald show

After Usman Khawaja missed out on the second Test in Gabba, Travis Head and Jake Weatherald opened the innings and gave a massive boost with a 77-run opening partnership. After Head walked away scoring 33 runs, Weatherald played a classic knock of 78 runs.

Reflecting on that, after their solid performance, Khawaja’s opening spot is under threat. Clarke lauded the duo and backed them to continue Australia’s dominant run at the opening slot.

“His spot wasn't spoken about before a ball was bowled in this series, but things have changed. Australia's dominating, their style of play is working, so I don't know if I would go back to that,” he added.

As Australia is already dominating the series, they received a massive boost before stepping into the upcoming Adelaide Test. After missing out first two Tests, Pat Cummins is back in the squad and fans can’t wait to see him in the action.