Fit Khawaja ready to fight
CRICKET: Test batsman Usman Khawaja has taken a cue from NBA superstar LeBron James to prepare his body for the gruelling demands of international cricket.
As Australia coach Justin Langer weighs up where to bat him for the first Test against India starting Thursday, Khawaja is fit as a fiddle after dropping 10 kilograms in the past eight months.
The Queensland captain started shedding the weight after Australia’s scandal-ridden tour of South Africa and is now reaping the rewards.
It was initially feared Khawaja could be in doubt for this week’s four-Test series opener when he suffered a knee injury in the UAE.
But the 31-year-old recovered ahead of schedule, allowing him to return via the Sheffield Shield last week.
James has been known to go to extraordinary lengths to maintain his imposing physique, spending more $2 million a year taking care of his body.
Khawaja suggested the three-time NBA champion, who is 33 but continues to defy Father Time, has been an inspiration.
“I just wanted to make sure that I was the best version of myself,” he said.
“One of my favourite athletes, LeBron James, does that as well as anyone else.
“I had a good Ashes campaign but I just felt like it was something I needed to work on at the time.
“It wasn’t a thing where I was like ‘CA’s coming down on me telling me to lose weight and I have to do it or else I’m not playing’.
“I was actually really surprised with how well I was pulling up after games,” he said.
“Losing weight doesn’t help you particularly score runs. It doesn’t make you a better batter.
“It’s about the other little things. Being in the field, recovering, running between the wickets.”