Khawaja’s knee a leg- up for Langer

JUSTIN Langer concedes a hectic schedule is compounding selection headaches but an update on Usman Khawaja has provided Australia’s coach some needed positive news.

Khawaja has undergone knee surgery and could potentially return for a Sheffield Shield hit- out prior to Australia’s first Test against India, 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 Abu Dhabi.

There were early fears the veteran, who helped Australia salvage a draw with an epic knock of 141 in Dubai, could miss the start of his side’s fourTest series against India.

The first Test begins on December 6 but Khawaja’s comeback game could start on November 27, when the Queensland Bulls host Victoria in a Sheffield 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 Melbourne radio station SEN.

Langer conceded the race to be part of Australia’s top six is “very open”, calling on underfire veteran Shaun Marsh to “make it irresistible for us to pick him”.

The upcoming schedule means that Marsh’s red- ball form and white- ball numbers will shape whether or not he maintains a spot in Australia’s Test XI.

Marsh will feature in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania this week, then is expected to take part in Australia’s ODI series against South Africa, which would mean he misses the third Shield round.

Glenn Maxwell, also likely to be picked in the ODI squad, headlines the list of Test aspirants missing the opening two Shield rounds because they’re playing a Twenty20 series in the UAE.

“It’s definitely a headache ... it’s a hectic schedule and I guess you have to look at form as well as you can,” Langer said.

“It’s certainly tough for selection.

“There’s no doubt about it, it’s such a tough balancing act.

“I read a few articles about how hard it’s for guys like Glenn Maxwell ... he should be playing Sheffield Shield cricket.

“But if you asked Maxi, I’m sure he’d love to be playing for Australia.

“It just happens to be a T20 tournament on at the moment.”

Plenty is at stake as Australia’s young guns enter the second round of a Sheffield Shield shootout that will shape the Test XI.

“It’s very open. Because we’re not performing,” Langer said.