Khawaja rebounds with ton

FORMER Test star Usman Khawaja snapped out of his recent form slump to post a crucial century on day three of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

Khawaja, 34, managed only 45 runs across his first three innings of the summer, but just when his chances of earning a Test recall appeared to be fading, the Queensland skipper (pictured) came up with a true captain’s knock.

The Bulls had been on the back foot since a batting collapse on day one and needed a prolific second innings to hold the Redbacks at bay.

K h a w a j a stepped up with a partnership with Marnus Labuschagne yielding 77 runs. Khawaja was undeterred when the star batter departed and brought up his 31st first class hundred.

At stumps, Khawaja was unbeaten on 158 runs, which was more than the entire Queensland XI posted in the first innings. Jimmy Peirson’s 89 helped the Bulls to finish the day at 4-370, 242 runs ahead of South Australia.

Khawaja hasn’t played Test cricket since he was dropped midway through the last Ashes series in August 2019 but his versatility could play into his hand if he can maintain form,