Thunder skipper in awe of in-form Khawaja
AAP SHANE Watson had some advice for Aussie selectors after Usman Khawaja set up the Sydney Thunder’s emphatic BBL win over the Melbourne Stars - ‘just let Uzi be Uzi’.
The Test No.3, who hasn’t featured in ODIs since January last year and played his last international T20 match in 2016, struck 44 runs from 26 balls including nine fours at the MCG.
Khawaja’s difficulties against spin are well-documented but some questioned his place in the Test team altogether before his commanding 171 in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. The 31-year-old still harbours ambitions to represent his country in all three formats and Watson is adamant he would excel if given the chance.
“The thing we all know about Uzi is that he’s a worldclass batsman whether it’s Test match, one-dayers or Twenty20,” Watson said.
“When he’s batting with freedom, and there’s no selection (questions) hanging over his head every single game then he’s one of the best players in the world.
“They’ve just got to know how to get the best out of him because someone like Uzi ... you don’t just shake a tree and they fall out.
“World-class players like him don’t come along that often so you’ve got to make sure that you get the best out of him and not have selection (questions) hanging over his head.
“He just needs to have the confidence, backing and freedom to go and do what he does.”
Khawaja combined with Ashes combatant, England No.3 James Vince, brilliantly in the Thunder’s commanding seven-wicket win over the hapless Stars on Saturday night.
HE (KHAWAJA) JUST NEEDS TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE, BACKING AND FREEDOM TO GO AND DO WHAT HE DOES