‘If you gave me the same result, I’d take it’
CRICKET: Australian No.3 Usman Khawaja isn’t concerned by the momentum Pakistan gathered at the end of the first Test in Brisbane.
The tourists got within 49 runs off pulling off the greatest run chase in the history of the game at the Gabba, when making a second-innings 450, and will go into the Boxing Day Test full of confidence.
“I don’t think that matters. It’s a different ground, different conditions, and you can’t really measure momentum, can you? I’m not sure if it exists,” the Pakistan-born Khawaja said.
Instead Australia was remaining positive after securing its second successive win after a run of five defeats.
“It doesn’t matter what you win by,” said Khawaja (pictured), who made a second-innings 74.
“You don’t get any more points for winning earlier ... even though it’s nicer to win earlier.
“We know we could have been better in a few spots and we hope to improve that in the next game. But a win’s a win. If you gave me the same result in this game, I’d take it.”
One of those areas of improvement needs to come from the middle order where No.6 Nic Maddinson (scores of one and four) and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (seven and one not out) contributed just 13 runs in Brisbane.
Uncapped West Australian Hilton Cartwright has subsequently been brought into the 13-man squad, the batting all-rounder also looked upon as a player to take some pressure off the bowling attack.
Khawaja said “I can see where they’re going with it”, but added that “it will be up to the selectors, that’s why they get paid the big bucks” as to whether he makes his debut.
New South Wales paceman Mitch Starc, however, went into bat for his embattled Blues teammate Maddinson, who also made a duck on debut in the last Test against South Africa.
“I definitely think Maddo should get another chance ... I think continued cricket, definitely at this level, can only help him, and it’d be a great opportunity for him at Boxing Day after we’ve had a couple of good wins,” he said.