Toughest test in impressive style

from the test tour of the UAE, where he starred.

Even though this story has been bubbling for weeks now, it can’t have been easy to learn that your older brother, presumably someone you have looked up to your whole life, has been arrested and charged with such offences.

Pictures of his brother in handcuffs were doing the rounds by the afternoon, so too footage of his father, Tariq, accompanying Arsalan to pay a A$50,000 surety for his bail.

Those who know Khawaja speak of his calm and measured temperament. He was no different here, according to those present.

For him, it was business as usual. He threw balls to coaching consultant Sridharan Sriram as part of a fielding drill for Marcus Harris, even seeing the funny side after ‘‘bowling’’ him with a throw, then took catches himself.

As the session wound down, Khawaja padded up again for a final hit. Whatever angst he may have been feeling inside, he hid it well.

The scores of fans for whom he signed autographs and posed with for selfies would undoubtedly be thinking even more highly of him after they discovered what he was going through.

Aware of the likelihood of an impending media circus, CA’s media team advised Khawaja to make a public statement so he would not have cameras following his every move.

The consummate team man, he attacked the issue head on.

‘‘It’s a matter for the police to deal with. Out of respect for the process, it’d be inappropriate for me to make any further comments,’’ Khawaja said in a short statement.

‘‘I just ask you to please respect my privacy and my family’s privacy during this time. Thank you.’’

That he spoke at all speaks volumes about Khawaja’s character. You want a tough Australian cricketer? Look no further.

What: Australia v India, first test When, where: Adelaide Oval, day one from 1pm today (NZT) Australian playing XI: Tim Paine (captain), Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. India (from): Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Sami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma. TAB odds: Australia $2.25, India $2.30, draw $4.50