Usman Khawaja has hit back at criticism of his ability to handle the world’s best pace bowlers in the aftermath of Australia’s World Test Championship final loss to South Africa.
The veteran left-hander will partner teenage rising star Sam Konstas at the top of the order in the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados, starting in the early hours of Thursday morning AEST, and Khawaja dismissed concerns over his place in the side due to his struggles against fast bowling.
The 38-year-old was worked over by Kagiso Rabada before edging to slip for a first innings 20-ball duck at Lords, and Rabada once again had his number in the second dig with Khawaja falling caught behind for six.
Those low scores followed being “Bumrah-ed” in the home summer, as Khawaja put it after Australia’s victory at the SCG to clinch the Border Gavaskar Trophy, with man of the series Jasprit Bumrah claiming Khawaja’s wicket six times in the eight innings in which he bowled to him.
Khawaja tallied only 184 runs at 20.44 against India with only a sole half century, coming on Boxing Day as Konstas stole the spotlight.
Australia's Usman Khawaja walks off the field after losing his wicket on day two of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
That followed an underwhelming tour of New Zealand last February, where he made 88 runs at 22 in four innings in a two-Test series where the new ball dominated opening batters.
But in the midst of the world’s best quicks often claiming bragging rights, Khawaja delivered a career-best double century in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in January.
He then returned home to peel off a first innings century for Queensland after being sent in against Tasmania in Hobart.
Taking a broader view, Khawaja was the second leading run-scorer among openers, behind India’s Yashavi Jaiswal, in the last WTC cycle.
He was also Australia’s most prolific Test batter in that two-year period, scoring 1,428 runs at 39.66 in 20 Tests.
Australia's Usman Khawaja acknowledges the crowd as he walks back to the pavilion upon his dismissal after scoring 232 runs during the second day play of the first Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on January 30, 2025. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)
Around the globe, it has been a tough time for opening batters.
Since the start of 2024, Khawaja averages 25.29 against pace, only slightly less than the global average of all openers of 27.84, compared to a dominant 65.80 against spin.
“I can’t understand how I can [have a problem against pace bowling] if I can score so many runs in Shield cricket or be the highest run-scorer for Australia in the WTC cycle,” Khawaja said in Barbados.
“I open the batting for Australia. So I get out to seam more than I get out to anyone else. It’s just part and parcel of the game.
“I wish I could face more spinners, but you don’t always get that opportunity.
“So, I’m facing the new-ball bowlers with the new ball every single time.
“I went back from Sri Lanka to domestic cricket and scored a hundred against Tasmania.
“I pretty much faced seam the whole time there [and] against Riley Meredith who is one of the fastest bowlers in the country.
“I understand I’m 38 years old. People will be looking for an excuse. I think I’ve got a role to play. Open the batting, starting off and setting a good platform for Australia.”
In the wash-up of the WTC final loss, Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald all but assured that Khawaja will have a place in the team for the foreseeable future with the Ashes awaiting in the coming summer.
The role envisioned for him is seemingly based around mentoring as much as scoring runs and blunting the new ball.
Khawaja’s partnership with Konstas, who is half his age, will be vital to Australia starting the new WTC cycle in style, as well as retaining the urn.
The pair walked out together for the first time on Boxing Day at the MCG when Konstas sent Bumrah, Virat Kohli, India and world cricket in a spin with his incredible debut half-century.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 26: (L-R)Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja of Australia prepare to open the batting during day one of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Everyone was quick to want a piece of Konstas, and Khawaja, who was once a young upstart debuting against England at the SCG in 2011, feels his experiences of having been in-and-out of the team over the journey make him the perfect person to take the teenager under his wing.
“With young Sammy coming in, it’s an added role [for me],” Khawaja said.
“To help Sammy along through his journey, trying to impart as much knowledge as I can. I won’t be around forever. But it’s very important that I can do whatever I can, obviously first and foremost, [to] have a solid partnership between us but then bit of stability at the top but also guide him through this journey.
“He’s still very young, he’s a 19-year-old boy, and it’s quite exciting.
“There’s obviously this series and then a big Ashes coming up. [You] probably want a little bit of stability at the top.
“It’ll be tough to chop and change, and opening is a tough place. Mentally it can be very tough. Going out there against the new ball and sometimes just getting a good ball and low scores.
“I’m just looking forward to playing with Sammy, as much as on the field as helping him off the field. I’ve been through a lot in my life, a lot of ups and downs.
“There are lots of things I’ve seen throughout my career and most of them are not technical. More mindset things.
“If I can help Sammy through this journey, especially over the next couple of series, try and impart as much knowledge I can to him.”
As for his own game, Khawaja insists he still has plenty more runs in him.
With 81 Tests to his name so far and the fact he will turn 39 in December, Khawaja could be forgiven for having an eye on the SCG Test send-off that Australian players crave.
After the Ashes, Australia are not due to play a Test match again until hosting Bangladesh in the Top End next August.
The timing would appear to be right for the left-hander to bid farewell, but unlike his former opening partner, David Warner, Khawaja is not putting a set time frame on things.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja prepares to bat during a practice session ahead of the fifth cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 2, 2025. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
“For me I feel like I have plenty to give still,” he said.
“To be playing this series and the Ashes is the pinnacle. That’s the one we all love winning and being involved in…after that there is a bit of a gap between that and the next Test series.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there but for me it’s about making sure I stay in the moment. Because if I’m not in the moment, I don’t think I’m doing the right thing by myself and the team.
“I’m not the guy who’s going, ‘I want to play for another 10 years’. I’m very attuned to whatever is best for the team is what I’m trying to do.
“I’m not here for myself anymore. I’m here for the team.
“I could have stopped playing two years ago really. But I found that I was still contributing, still trying to be the best player for the team at that opening spot, trying to do what I can do, [and] that hasn’t changed for me.
“When it does, you guys will surely find out.”
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