Khawaja may be OK for first Test
JUSTIN Langer admits a hectic schedule is compounding selection headaches but an update on batsman Usman Khawaja’s injury has provided Australia’s coach some muchneeded positive news.
Khawaja has had knee surgery and could potentially return for a Sheffield Shield hitout with Queensland before 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 the second Test in Abu Dhabi.
There were early fears the veteran, who helped Australia salvage a draw in the first Test
with an epic knock of 141 in Dubai, could miss the start of his side’s four-Test series against India.
The first Test begins on December 6 but Khawaja’s comeback game could start on November 27, when Queensland host 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 told radio station SEN.
Langer admitted the race to be part of Australia’s top six is “very open”.
One young batsman pushing for selection is Matthew Renshaw, who returns for Queensland against South Australia today in Adelaide, looking to relaunch his Test career after being overlooked in the UAE.
Langer has reiterated he wants to pick whoever is making the most runs.
“Whether you’re an 18year-old wonder boy or a 30year-old run machine,” Langer told radio station SEN.
Realistically, a couple of Shield centuries could catapult Renshaw or any young batsman into contention.
While Victorian captain Peter Handscomb headlines the list of options, his state teammate Will Pucovski, who became the ninth player in Shield history to celebrate a double-century before his 21st birthday, has already been billed as a Test bolter.