Glamorgan sign up Aussie Khawaja for T20 Blast campaign
GLAMORGAN have announced the signing of Australian international Usman Khawaja as their second overseas player for the 2018 T20 Blast.
Top-order batsman Khawaja will join Shaun Marsh as the county further bolster their white-ball batting ranks
They will also have South African white ball specialist Colin Ingram available for the competition as head coach Robert Croft assembles a formidable side in his search of silverware — after the county missed out in the semifinals last year.
Whereas Marsh will be available in all formats this season and is expected to play in Glamorgan’s County Championship opener at Gloucestershire on Friday, Khawaja is eligible for T20 only starting on July 8.
The left-hander, who has played 33 Tests for Australia plus 18 ODIs and nine T2 internationals, was part of the Australia team – like Marsh – that beat England 4-0 in the recent Ashes series.
The same team also courted scandal when Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were caught, and subsequently banned, for their part in a ball tampering cover-up during their Test series against South Africa.
But the 31-year-old, who has played in the IPL and Big Bash, admitted he was excited to arrive in South Wales and help lead the county to domestic T20 glory.
“I’m delighted to have signed for Glamorgan for their Vitality Blast campaign and look forward to the challenge of helping them build on the success they achieved in last year’s competition,” said Khawaja.
“From my point of view, it would be great to be able to take them a step further and bring silverware back to Wales.
“Glamorgan have some fantastic players in their squad and I can’t wait to join up with the team and play with Shaun again.”
Glamorgan director of cricket Hugh Morris also welcomed the addition, adding: “Usman is a world class player who has played at the highest level for a number of years and has experience in playing T20 cricket around the world.
“Despite his classical style he is a very destructive batsman who can dominate any bowling attack and I’m sure is someone our supporters will look forward to watching this year.
“With his addition to our batting line-up, which already includes Colin Ingram and Shaun Marsh, as well our young Glamorgan players, we have batting line-up capable of continuing our success in the competition and thrill crowds in Wales.”