Khawaja targets a Shield hitout before first Test
JUSTIN Langer admits a hectic schedule is compounding selection headaches, but an update on Usman Khawaja has provided Australia’s coach some much-needed good news.
Khawaja has undergone knee surgery and could potentially return for a Sheffield Shield hitout prior to Australia’s first Test against India in December, according to Langer.
Khawaja, who shapes as the first batsman picked in the Test XI if fit, suffered a torn left meniscus during Australia’s loss to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
There were early fears the veteran, who helped Australia salvage a draw with an epic knock of 141 in Dubai, could miss the start of his side’s fourTest series against India.
The first Test begins on December 6 but Khawaja’s comeback game could start on November 27, when Queensland hosts Victoria in a Shield match at the Gabba.
“Some of my messages yesterday were that he might be up for the Shield game before the first Test match, which would be a real bonus for us,” Langer said yesterday.
He admitted the race to be part of Australia’s top six is “very open”, calling on underfire veteran Shaun Marsh to “make it irresistible for us to pick him”.
The upcoming schedule means that Marsh’s red-ball form and white-ball numbers will shape whether he maintains a spot in the Test XI.
Marsh will feature in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania this week and is expected to take part in Australia’s ODI series against South Africa, meaning he misses the third Shield round.
Glenn Maxwell, also likely to be picked in the ODI squad, headlines the list of Test aspirants missing the opening two Shield rounds because they’re playing a T20 series in the UAE.
“It’s a headache … it’s a hectic schedule,” Langer said. “It’s certainly tough for selection.”