Australia batter Matt Renshaw dropped a big hint on Usman Khawaja's participation in the third Ashes Test. Renshaw, who plays alongside Khawaja for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL), feels that the latter will be ready to perform if he gets selected and will do everything he needs to do in order to deliver with the bat.
“He’ll be doing everything he needs to do to get right. He’s a class player, so even if he hasn’t hit for a while, he’ll still be ready to go,” Renshaw said.
There has been a lot of debate regarding Khawaja's participation in the third Ashes Test. Notably, the 39-year-old had sustained back spasms for the first time in his playing career during the first Test in Perth. He had then been ruled out of the second match as he wasn't able to recover in time. But, he has now fully overcome his injury and is fit to be selected.
Head and Weatherald perform brilliantly
In his absence, the opening duo of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald went on to deliver big time and formed partnerships of over 50 runs in the second innings of first Test and the first innings of second Test. The new opening pair's success may see Khawaja either end up on the bench or bat in the middle-order.
Amid rising speculations regarding Khawaja's participation, Travis Head dropped a massive hint on if he will be opening in the third Test. He jokingly remarked that the team will claim Weatherald as a South Australian if the two open the innings once again in Adelaide.
“If I am doing it this week again with Jake, we’ll claim him as a South Australian,” Head said on the Willow Talk podcast.
Australia firmly in control
Meanwhile, Australia currently have a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series and have clearly been the better team in both the batting and bowling departments. They handed consecutive eight-wicket defeats to their arch-rivals in both the first and second Test and will be looking to maintain this form in the upcoming match that will commence from December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.