WATCH: Usman Khawaja hits back at Sam Konstas for backswing during net practice ahead of 1st Test vs Sri Lanka
The Australian team has arrived Sri Lanka for the Test and ODI series against the home team. The first Test between the two nations is set to begin on January 29 in Galle as both teams prepare for a crucial clash in the longest format of the game. However, before the vital encounter against Sri Lanka, the Australian opener Usman Khawaja he invests his time and energy at the net attempting a rather unconventional shot by his standards – the reverse shot. This led to a relaxed exchange between Khawaja and his young opening partner Konstas himself as he got a history lesson from the seasoned opener.
Usman Khawaja on the difficulties batsmen face in reverse shots
After training in Galle International StadiumKhawaja talked about his experiences in Sri Lanka Cricket Australiaofficial channel during his long and award-winning career as a cricketer. In the middle of it, he pointed out the passing remarks of Konstas and other national team teammates about his reverse shot in the net, to which he lightly responded.
“Yeah, yeah, show some respect, okay, it wasn’t easy when I started playing upside down. You go out playing it and you get crucified. You’re fine now,” was Khawaja’s reply which indicated the conservative mindset of the cricketing community in the days when he was a young man.
Additionally, he reflected on his experiences playing in Sri Lanka and generally in subcontinental conditions. He also spoke about the difference between playing on Australian and sub-continental pitches for a batsman. This is Khawaja’s fifth tour of Sri Lanka. He was part of the Australian squad in their previous 4 test tours of the island nation and the under 19 campaign when he was a youngster.
Here’s the video
Usman Khawaja is back for the Test tour number for Sri Lanka and things have changed with a reverse move🤣#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/qT9fo1kO0n
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 26, 2025
Also read: Sri Lanka announce Test squad for Australia series; includes 2 untitled players
Khawaja revealed his retirement plan ahead of the Sri Lanka trip
The 38-year-old had a quiet season and failed to make a mark with the bat in the home series against India in which the Australian team triumphed and won Granica-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in decades. There was speculation that the veteran Australian opener might decide to retire from Test cricket after the coveted bilateral series is over, but Khawaja had his own take on the matter.
After the series, Khwaja sat down for a chat roar.com in which he talked about his retirement plans and potentially when he might say goodbye to the game. During the discussion, Khwaja expressed his openness and flexibility on the matter and left it to the Australian team management to decide on his future.
“There are definitely those thoughts (giving away in Sydney) in my head, I’m not afraid to talk about it. I am a man. I would still like to play the Ashes at a minimum. I try not to think too far ahead, that’s as far as I’ll think ahead. As long as we’re winning, I’m still contributing, my body still feels good, I’ll play. For me, it’s always more like one summer at a time,” Khwaja addressed rumors of his retirement from the longest format of the game.
In addition, he also pointed out that ups and downs are a part of the game and that he is used to the disappointment of sometimes not being up to par with the bat.
“(Playing in the subcontinent) was a love-hate relationship. (But) there will be times when you score runs, times when you don’t score runs. You respect that the older you get. Cricket always ebbs and flows. Now I’m very in tune with it,” concluded the 38-year-old.
Also read: David Warner picks Australia’s opening batsman for tour of Sri Lanka
