Marooned Usman has found his niche
USMAN Khawaja has cut his ties to New South Wales and credits Queensland for turning him into a Test cricket force.
Khawaja is the only Queenslander in the Australian team for today’s start to the first Test of the Ashes against England at the Gabba.
The Pakistan- born batsman came through the ranks in NSW, earning his Test debut in the 2010- 11 Ashes, which Australia lost on home soil.
But Khawaja realised he had to make a change when he was dropped from the Test arena in 2012 and decided to relocate to Queensland.
“I love Queensland, Brisbane and how relaxed it is,” Khawaja said ahead of his 25th Test.
“I just needed a change. It was the first time I was dropped properly.
“I struggled after that. I felt like I needed to move then or never.
“It wasn’t easy – I almost didn’t move. I needed to decide what was the best way for me to grow as a player and enjoy cricket.
“I am 100 per cent ( a Queenslander). It’s probably the best move I ever made.
“I’m settled here and I’m engaged to another Queenslander.”
Khawaja, Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer, will marry fiancee Rachel McLellan early next year in between his cricket commitments.
He has been one of Australia’s top performing batsmen this summer after being dropped from the Test side during the recent tour of Bangladesh.
The Queensland Bulls captain has averaged 86.75 in the Sheffield Shield this year and averages 74.75 in Tests at the Gabba.
Khawaja, 30, is in top form to shred England’s Ashes chances at his home ground and said he was confident despite his recent axing.
“I had an idea I’d still be a fair chance of playing the summer,” he said.
“I talked to selectors – I couldn’t say much – but they pretty much told me beforehand. It feels like I’ve never been out of the team.
“It was just the greatest feeling ever, getting a baggy green. I’ve had a bit of a rollercoaster in international cricket. It was a great learning curve.
“Without getting those failures and going in and out, I wouldn’t have grown as a player.
“Hopefully, I will contribute and score some runs, but it’s all about winning games.”
Khawaja will bat at No. 3 for Australia, a spot many pundits believe is reserved for the team’s best batsman.
There is an elegance about the left- hander that sets him apart from his teammates but he admitted there would be nerves on the first morning of an Ashes series in front of a sold- out Gabba crowd.
“Everyone gets nervous,” he said.
“I’ve matured as a player a bit more, some more understanding of my game and how to get the best out of myself.
“I’ve matured in life obviously. My fiancee Rachel, I’ve known for about three years now. That’s settled me down too. It gave me some perspective on life outside of cricket.
“All of those combined makes it easy for me to just go out and play.”