Khawaja’s big chance to put his name up in lights

THE stage is set for Usman Khawaja to stake a Test claim after steering Queensland to 1-167 at stumps on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with WA at the Gabba.

The classy left-hander cruised to 30 not out with opener Bryce Street unbeaten on 55 in reply to WA’s fighting first dig of 322.

Queensland opener Joe Burns had also hoped to make national selectors sit up and take notice with his impressive 76 off 119 balls, including 11 boundaries. Burns now appears in the mix after Australian coach Justin Langer admitted that there were two spots in the top six up for grabs ahead of the first Test against Pakistan starting on November 21 in Brisbane.

In Adelaide, SA paceman Chadd Sayers collected a career-best bowling haul to give the Redbacks a sniff of upsetting shield leader NSW.

Chasing 298 to win, the Redbacks were 1-1 at stumps on the third day of play after Sayers had taken 13 wickets across the Blues’ two innings. Sayers’ match figures of 13-131 are the seventh-best for South Australia in shield history.

After taking 8-64 in the first dig, Sayers yesterday claimed 5-67 as the Blues were bowled out for 253 in their second innings with Nick Larkin topscoring with 91. Sayers took the initial two NSW wickets before Larkin featured in a steadying 70-run partnership with Moises Henriques who was dismissed for 38. Larkin put on another handy stand with debutant Matt Gilkes (30), adding 60 runs and taking the visitors to 3-184.