Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is against the idea of Usman Khawaja returning to the Australian playing XI, which he believes could be a possibility for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide starting on 17 December.
Recently, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald hinted that Khawaja could retain his place at the top after missing the second Test in Brisbane.
“I think the selectors will pick him [Usman Khawaja]. I think he’ll be back at the top of the order. I don’t know if I would make a change, to be honest. I think I’ve said before, normally with senior players like that, and certainly when you get to that age, you’re selected for big tournaments, either a World Cup or an Ashes series, and at the end of those, your time is done,” Michael Clarke said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Clarke explained why Australia should stick with the pair of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald – both of whom opened in the last Test.
“Australia are 2–0 up. We’ve got someone at the top of the order who scored an unbelievable hundred [Travis Head]. I don’t know if they need to go back to that now. I know that might be hard on Uzzy because he’s had a wonderful career and been a big player,” he added.
Head struck a breathtaking century in the first Test, while Weatherald notched up his first Test fifty in Brisbane. For the last game, Khawaja was unavailable for selection, but he has regained fitness and has been named in the squad for the Adelaide Test. Pat Cummins will walk into the playing XI, but questions remain over Khawaja’s inclusion.
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