Australia set for selection dilemma with Khawaja’s return

Security fence to be built around Melbourne Cricket Ground

MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec 18, (AP): The big question facing Australian selectors ahead of the second cricket Test against the West Indies is whether to return Usman Khawaja to the starting XI, and risk tinkering with a lineup that won the series-opening match by an innings and 212 runs.

And if that happens, how to potentially have to tell Shaun Marsh, who scored 182 runs in the first Test and was part of a record 449-run, fourth-wicket partnership with Adam Voges, that he might have to carry the drinks as 12th man in the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne and I think he deserves the right to come back in,” Michael Clarke, recently retired as Australia captain, said of Khawaja on Friday. “Who they leave out, I’m unsure to be honest.”

Khawaja is set to return in a Big Bash League Twenty20 match at the MCG on Sunday, but that will be his only game back from an injury layoff before the Boxing Day test.

Marsh also helped steer the Australians to victory in the day-night Adelaide Test against New Zealand with a gritty 49 as wickets tumbled in a low-scoring runchase.

“Whoever they leave out, they’re going to be hard done by,” Clarke said. “Joe Burns got a beautiful hundred in the first Test and I think his contribution with David Warner has been really important.”

Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh, who holds one of four votes on the selection panel, says Khawaja should return.

“If Usman is fit, assuming he is, he’s got to come back in,” Waugh was quoted as saying earlier this week. “That’s not nailed down, but he has two 100s in his last two Test matches, so you’d imagine he comes

In this Nov 6, 2015 file photo, Australia’s Usman Khawaja plays a shot during play on day two of the first cricket Test between Australia and New Zealand in

Brisbane, Australia. (AP)

back in.”

Khawaja had scores of 174, 9 not out and 121 before breaking down during the second Test against New Zealand in Perth last month.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Cricket Ground officials will build a 1.8-meter-high (5foot, 9-inch) fence around the stadium to counter the threat of a terrorist attack.

The fence will be built 20 to 25 meters (65 to 80 feet) from the building and is expected to be completed before a domestic Twenty20 cricket match on Sunday.

The second Test between Australia and the West Indies begins Dec 26 at the MCG.

The fence will act as a security checkpoint, where fans will be screened at entry tents before they are admitted closer to the stadium.

On Nov 13, 130 people were killed in a series of attacks in Paris. The city’s main football venue, the Stade de France, was among the targets — although none of the attackers was able to enter the stadium.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane said a potential threat to a major sporting event in Australia was an “ugly” thought.

Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stephen Gough said the fence would be in place during the summer cricket season but it was yet to be decided whether it would remain for the Australian Football League season next year.