Usman Khawaja of Australia. File
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Australia opener Usman Khawaja believes England’s pitches are the final take a look at for top-three batters and the solely method to practice for the situations there’s to work actually onerous and have very low expectations.
Khawaja has struggled in English situations, averaging simply 19.66 from six Tests, which is a below-average displaying from him provided that he has scored an incredible 1,608 runs at 69.91 in 16 Tests since he was recalled to the Test aspect in January final yr.
The 36-year-old is predicted to be in the thick of issues throughout the World Test Championship ultimate towards India and the subsequent five-Test Ashes collection in England.
Australia will play India in the WTC ultimate at The Oval in London from June 7, earlier than the Ashes begin on June 16 in Birmingham. The Australians beneath skipper Pat Cummins will look to clinch their maiden collection triumph in the UK since 2001.
“England is, in my opinion, the toughest place in the world to bat for a top three batsman, plain and simple,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au right here.
“New ball is tough work, but then you get some (weather) conditions, and it’s a bit of luck involved in it, too; sometimes you get the other team out, then suddenly the clouds roll over… other times you’re out there and it’s nice and sunny.”
He indicated that with the altering climate situations, batting on England pitches was a chance, and that one wants to seize the alternatives in the event that they current themselves.
“If I’ve learned anything, it’s work hard, train hard, (and) if you’re going to England, go with low expectations, and then just work on every game one at a time, because you are going to fail as a batsman. But when you do score, you try to cash in as much as you can,” stated the batting stalwart.
Khawaja had performed three Ashes Tests every on the 2013 and 2019 excursions. He was, nevertheless, axed earlier than the finish of each collection.
Though the veteran cricketer feels he’s a a lot improved participant than he was a decade in the past, he believes there is no such thing as a surety when going through England bowling stalwarts James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
“I feel like I’m a better player than I was 10 years ago. I have more experience than I did back then. But… there’s no guarantees — Anderson, Broad, they’re unbelievable bowlers, they’re tough work at the start.
“I suppose the different aspect is, that is what makes it so superior once you do rating runs and also you contribute to a successful crew — which hopefully I’ll do, and others will do over there — once you do it towards guys like Broad and Anderson in England, it is simply that rather more satisfying.”
