Usman Khawaja a likely starter in 1st Bangladesh Test, says skipper Smith
Steve Smith says Usman Khawaja could return to the Australian lineup for the first time since January in the longawaited first Test in Bangladesh.
Smith said he was unsure whether Glenn Maxwell would retain the No 6 spot in the order, with fellow all-rounder Hilton Cartwright being considered for a call-up as the Australian squad braces for wet weather in Dhaka.
“I thought (Maxwell) performed really well in the last two Test matches in India ... (but) we’ll wait and see what the conditions look like, and what we feel the best make-up for the team is when we’re over there,” Smith said on Friday before the Australians departed for Dhaka.
Smith said Khawaja “is going to be a really big player for us this summer.”
“He’s done incredibly well in Australia over the last couple of years and it would be good for him to (play) some cricket. He’s chomping at the bit to get out there and I daresay he’ll get his opportunity.”
Khawaja scored at least 50 in all six home Tests last year, but was dropped for the test series in India. The axing came after a disappointing two Tests in Sri Lanka last year during which he was also dropped for the final match after scores of 26, 18, 11 and 0.
The 30-year-old hasn’t played for Australia since a limitedovers international against Pakistan in Sydney on January 22.
Australia have not played a Test match in Bangladesh since Ricky Ponting’s team visited in 2006. The Australians were due to play two Tests in Bangladesh in October 2015, but the tour was cancelled amid security fears.
It was also under threat until two weeks ago during a bitter and protracted pay dispute between the players and Cricket Australia, but a new MoU was signed.
The team left as news of a letter by coach Darren Lehmann to former and current Australia players was published by a Sydney newspaper. In it, Lehmann encourages players to get Australia back to the top of world cricket.