Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: A fit Usman Khawaja would be Australia’s first choice as opener, believes Matt Renshaw despite him being in contention for with sparkling form in domestic cricket.
Khawaja struggled with back spasms in Australia’s Ashes opener in Perth but is expected to shake it off in time for the day-night second Test in Brisbane next week.
Over the weekend, Renshaw stroked 112 for Queensland against Victoria in a day-night Sheffield Shield match at Brisbane's Gabba.
The left-handed opener’s form, with scores of 128, 29, 101 and 51 before his latest century, has been timely keeping in mind Khawaja’s fitness issues in the Perth Test win.
But Renshaw, with experience of 14 Tests, himself doesn’t think he would get the nod if Khawaja is available for selection.
"He's got an average over 40 in test cricket, he's played 85 games, he's one of our best batters," the 29-year-old said on Wednesday.
"He's one of the best cricketers that Australia's ever produced."
Khawaja’s back woes forced Australia to re-jig their batting order as he was out for too long for treatment before their first innings.
Marnus Labuschagne took his place up top while Travis Head was promoted to the top in the second innings in a strategic move that came off through his match-winning 123.
Left handed Khawaja made two at number four before being caught behind and didn’t bat in the second. Set to turn 39 next month, Khawaja has had a lean run with the bat in recent times.
Should he is deemed unfit for the second Test starting on December 4, Head could be persisted as an opener with Jake Weatherald, and all-rounder like Beau Webster could be accommodated in the middle order.
Depending on match situation Head might be deployed again as a tactical move, Australia coach Andrew McDonald had hinted on Monday.
Dropping Khawaja despite the temptation of turning Head into a regular opener is unlikely, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting felt.
"(Selectors) would have to be chatting around it. "When you see what Travis did, it's hard to argue against leaving him there," he said.
