Birthday boy keen to keep on celebrating
Australian batsman Usman Khawaja received the perfect present for his 31st birthday on Monday – an Ashes series victory.
The 31-year-old (pictured) said a Christmas present of a 5-0 whitewash would also go down well but that the Aussies, contrary to what Nathan Lyon said before the Ashes began, are not looking to end the careers of any English players.
England veterans Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad are under the pump after Australia regained the Ashes with victory in the third Test at the WACA Ground.
Khawaja said the team’s focus was just on winning in Melbourne on Boxing Day and Sydney.
“Winning’s enough I think,” Khawaja said before flying out of Perth yesterday.
“We’ve played some really good cricket thus far. Everyone’s contributed at certain periods. It’s been a great team effort.
“Hopefully we’ll win 5-0, and when we do, I’m sure at the end of that we’ll all get together and all have a drink together. I’m sure that will happen.
“We know the series is won, but we’re still trying to win the next two games.”
Australian paceman Mitchell Starc is in doubt for the Boxing Day Test after injuring his right heel in Perth.
Starc has played in just one Boxing Day Test since making his debut in 2011.
“I’m sure whatever the case is, he’s going to be doing everything he can to play on Boxing Day,” Khawaja said.
“He was obviously in a bit of pain but I think they’re going to have to assess it in the next couple of days.”