"I can bat anywhere": Khawaja pleads case for Third Test selection

Exiled opener Usman Khawaja has pleaded his case for a spot in Australia’s Test side, returning to full fitness ahead of the Third Ashes Test.

The 38-year-old entered the Ashes as a nailed-on opener, with discussions leading into the First Test debating who would accompany Khawaja at the top of the Aussie order.

However, after a back concern pushed him to four in the first innings, making just two runs before being ruled out of the second innings, Khawaja has remained firmly on the outskirts of the side.

Leading into the pink-ball Test, Khawaja was yet to reach full fitness, withdrawing from contention just days out from the first ball at the Gabba. That said, the veteran has since claimed that he has recovered from his nagging injury, and is ready to go for the upcoming Third Test in Adelaide.

“I’m 100 (per cent),” Khawaja told reporters on Saturday.

“I’m feeling 100 (per cent)... I’ve done everything. That’s why I was training all last week. It wasn’t for anything else. I was just doing rehab, which sucks, because when you get injured, you have to do more right.

“Obviously, I hope to play. I haven’t really had a chat too much with the selectors. Obviously, it’s not my decision.

“The older I’ve got, the more comfortable I’ve got with things that I can control and things that I haven’t, and I feel really good.

“I’m ready to go. The rest of it is not in my control.”

Given the success found between Travis Head and Jake Weatherald atop the batting order, Khawaja’s position in the side remains heavily up for debate. However, the veteran has previously batted down the order with relative success.

Within just two knocks at number five, Khawaja secured twin tons at the SCG in 2021/22.

“No issues (batting down the order). I’ve always done really well batting at four or five,” Khawaja said.

“It was always the case normally, people that open aren’t as attuned to number five as opening because they’re not as good at playing spin. But I’ve proven I’m one of the best players of spin in Australia.

“My subcontinent record is one of the best ever for Australia. So that’s never been the issue. I can bat anywhere.”

Given his age and fitness concerns, many believe that Khawaja has suited up for Australia for the last time. That said, Khawaja hasn’t allowed the talk to influence his preparation, sticking to his own routine in spite of the media consensus.

“It doesn’t really faze me. As much as people sometimes want to have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia,” Khawaja said.

“I’m still very committed. Every game I take the same way as I took 10 years ago. I train hard. I do everything right. For me, it’s irrelevant.

“For me, it’s more about just being a professional. People can have opinions; that’s absolutely no worries to me. But I can’t really sit down and worry about what other people think, especially outside of the squad.

“I could’ve retired two years ago, I could’ve retired at any time. But (I’m) still valued by the team, still asked to be here to play, so I’m here.”

Within his time outside the Test side, Khawaja has certainly made his presence known, slated for his golfing appearance one day prior to the opening Test before labelling the Perth pitch a “piece of s—t” following Australia’s first Test victory.

That said, Khawaja believes that neither are an issue, particularly looking ahead to a potential selection for the remaining Ashes Tests.

“I’ve got to be honest, the golf one, not really important to me what other people say. I’ve always been a professional,” he said.

“The wicket one was not really a big issue for me. I talked to (CA chief) Todd (Greenberg) about it like adults, and it was all sorted.

“I think it was more an issue for the media and everyone else, if I’m truly honest, but it’s all resolved, no issues.”

The Third Test in Adelaide kicks off on Wednesday December 17, with the first ball set for 10:30am local time.