Hope Usman Khawaja will be back for first Test against India, says Justin Langer

10/24/2018

Australian coach Justin Langer has stated that he is hoping that Usman Khawaja recovers from his injury he suffered in UAE before the home Test series against India begins next month. The opener was in supreme form against Pakistan in the first match of the Test series before picking up the injury.

The Australian Cricket team seems to have lost its invincibility over the time. Bans to Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft had already hampered their season and a 0-1 against Pakistan in UAE did not help their cause ahead of the much awaited tour against India. However, there were some positives as the series could have easily ended 0-2 had it not been for the indomitable performance from Usman Khawaja who salvaged a draw for Australia in the first Test. But their luck ran out in the second as Khawaja picked up an injury in the second Test as Pakistan ran out winners. However, Australian coach Justin Langer is hopeful that Usman Khawaja will recover from his injury before the four match Test series against India next month.

"My understanding is that he had surgery this morning, so I haven't heard the results yet. But hopefully, some of my messages yesterday were that he might be up for the (Sheffield) Shield game before the first Test match(against India), which would be a real bonus for us," Langer said, reported Reuters.

"When you continue to bat like we are batting in Australian cricket at the moment, it's always open, I think we've had 25 batting collapses in the last three years. It's very open because we're not performing. When you take out Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft from the Test side, you are always going to be challenged," he added.

The former Australian International also made it clear that senior players have to take up the responsibility in these times of crises.

"We had three guys make their debuts and senior players like Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh -- who didn't have a great series as has been well documented -- you need those players to stand up."

With The Marsh brothers, Shaun and Mitchell, struggling to recreate their form from the Ashes last year, they have been under the scanner with criticism coming from all quarters. While voicing his support for the duo, the Aussie coach had some simple advice for the brothers to answer their critics.

"We've got faith in Shaun and Mitch but when you are not performing, I understand why people criticise. You can only pick on form."