Usman Khawaja of Australia. File
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Australia opener Usman Khawaja believes England’s pitches are the final word take a look at for top-three batters and the one approach to prepare for the situations there’s to work actually laborious and have very low expectations.
Khawaja has struggled in English situations, averaging simply 19.66 from six Tests, which is a below-average exhibiting from him on condition that he has scored an incredible 1,608 runs at 69.91 in 16 Tests since he was recalled to the Test facet in January final yr.
The 36-year-old is predicted to be within the thick of issues throughout the World Test Championship remaining towards India and the following five-Test Ashes collection in England.
Australia will play India within the WTC remaining 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 within 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 of venture, and that one must 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,” mentioned the batting stalwart.
Khawaja had performed three Ashes Tests every on the 2013 and 2019 excursions. He was, nonetheless, axed earlier than the tip 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 isn’t a surety when dealing with 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 assume the opposite facet is, that is what makes it so superior once you do rating runs and also you contribute to a successful staff — 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.”
Source: www.thehindu.com
