The Australian crew has arrived in Sri Lanka for a Take a look at and ODI collection in opposition to the house facet. The primary Take a look at between the 2 nations is about to start on January 29 in Galle as each groups gear up for a vital face-off within the longest format of the sport. Nonetheless, earlier than the important encounter in opposition to Sri Lanka, Australian opener Usman Khawaja is investing his time and vitality within the nets making an attempt to ace a fairly unconventional shot in keeping with his standards- the reverse sweep. This led to a light-hearted change of ideas between Khawaja and his younger opening accomplice Sam Konstas as he obtained a historical past lesson from the seasoned opener.
Usman Khawaja on the difficulties batters face on reverse sweep pictures
After the coaching session at Galle Worldwide Stadium, Khawaja talked about his experiences in Sri Lanka on Cricket Australia’s official channel throughout the course of his lengthy and adorned profession as a cricketer. Within the midst of that, he identified the passing remarks Konstas and different teammates of the nationwide crew made on his reverse sweep follow within the nets to which he gave a light-hearted reply.
“Yeah, yeah, present some respect, alright, it wasn’t straightforward once I began enjoying the reverse sweep. You get out enjoying that and also you get crucified. Now you’re good,” was Khawaja’s reply stating the conservative mindset the cricketing group had again within the day when he was a teen.
Moreover, he additionally remarked on the experiences of enjoying in Sri Lanka and in sub-continent situations generally. He additionally talked in regards to the distinction between enjoying in Australian and subcontinent pitches for a batter. That is Khawaja’s fifth tour to Sri Lanka. He was part of the Australian squad of their earlier 4 Take a look at excursions to the island nation and an Beneath-19 marketing campaign again when he was a teen.
Right here’s the video
Usman Khawaja is again for Take a look at tour quantity for to Sri Lanka, and issues have modified with the reverse sweep🤣#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/qT9fo1kO0n
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 26, 2025
Additionally Learn: Sri Lanka announces Test squad for the Australia series; includes 2 uncapped players
Khawaja revealed his retirement plan earlier than journey to Sri Lanka
The 38-year-old had a silent season and failed to go away a mark with the bat within the dwelling collection in opposition to India through which the Australian crew triumphed to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the primary time after a decade. Hypothesis was rife that the veteran Australian opener may go for retirement from Take a look at cricket after the conclusion of the coveted bilateral collection, however Khawaja had ideas of his personal on the matter.
After the collection, Khwaja sat right down to have a chat on roar.com through which he talked about his retirement plans and doubtlessly when he might bid farewell to the sport. Throughout the dialogue, Khwaja expressed his openness and adaptability on the matter and left it on Australian crew administration to determine his future.
“There’s positively these ideas (bowing out in Sydney) in my head, I’m not afraid to speak about that. I’m human. I’d nonetheless wish to play the Ashes at a naked minimal. I strive to not assume too far forward, that’s as far forward as I’ll assume. So long as we’re profitable, I’m nonetheless contributing, my physique’s nonetheless feeling good, I’ll play. For me it at all times feels extra like one summer season at a time,” Khwaja remarked on rumours of his retirement from the longest format of the sport.
Moreover, he additionally identified that ups and downs are half and parcel of the sport and he’s accustomed from the frustration of not being on top of things with the bat at occasions.
“(Taking part in on the subcontinent) has been a love-hate relationship. (However) there’s going to be occasions if you rating runs, occasions you don’t rating runs. You respect that the older you get. Cricket at all times ebbs and flows. I’m very attuned to that now,” the 38-year-old concluded.
