New gap filler for Test stars
The massive break between Test matches in 2024 has moved Australian opener Usman Khawaja to test the T20 waters and nominate for The Hundred in England.
After the second Test in New Zealand, which begins on Friday, Australia doesn’t play another five-day game until it confronts India on home soil next summer.
Khawaja, a Test specialist, said last week he wanted to play some cricket during that break and has put his name up for The Hundred auction along with former opening partner David Warner.
The tournament in England, which will follow the T20 World Cup, has also drawn interest from Test keeper Alex Carey among 24 Australians, including boom young batter Jake FraserMcGurk.
Before the first Test against the Kiwis, 37-year-old Khawaja said he would look to get some cricket in during the break because there was “no finishing line” in sight and he wanted to be ready for the Indian series.
“Honestly, someone says, ‘Can you see yourself playing next summer’? I’m probably like, ‘Yeah’, but I’m not gonna let my mind drift off there,” he said. “And I think that’s what helps me a little bit with cricket and making sure I don’t look too far ahead ‘cause it didn’t pass when I have looked too far ahead, that’s when I got myself in trouble.”
Warner, who has retired from Test and ODI cricket but is set to play this year’s T20 World Cup, has twice previously registered for English cricket’s 100-ball-a-side event but pulled out in 2021 and was then overlooked for the second edition.
Josh Inglis has nominated himself on the highest pay band, while Steve Smith’s name is absent from the list of hopefuls.