Arthur backs Khawaja to come good in Tests
December 17th, 2011 - 9:03 pm ICT by IANSMelbourne, Dec 17 (IANS) Australian coach Mickey Arthur feels young batsman Usman Khawaja has the technique and ability to succeed in Test cricket.
Khawaja has been seen as a potential to replace former Australian captain Ricky Ponting in the No.3 slot. But the 25-year-old Khawaja has failed to impress the selectors managing just one half-century from his first 11 Test innings.
The classy Blues batsman is set to be retained for the Boxing Day Test against India but is feeling the heat from Shaun Marsh. Since his Test debut against England in January, Khawaja has managed 263 runs from six Tests with one 50.
Arthur has been impressed by Khawaja’s attitude and believes he will be a Test match force after few adjustments to his game.
“Test cricket is pressure, wherever you play you will always be under pressure. I think he’s a really good young player, he has a solid technique, defends really well,” Arthur was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.
“There’s one or two things we need to work on but he has the potential to develop into something really good,” he said.
Khawaja admitted that Test cricket has been challenging, but he remains determined to succeed at first drop.
“I do enjoy batting No.3. It’s probably a long-term goal for me. I haven’t put up a big total yet and Test cricket is obviously a massive step up. But I am happy where I am right now. I can’t control anything else, selectors and everything else is not in my hands, so I’m not even going to bother with it,” he said.
- Ponting backs Khwaja for No.3 position - Dec 30, 2010
- Ponting, Hussey to play against India on Boxing Day, says Arthur - Dec 13, 2011
- Ponting backs Usman Khawaja to bat No.3 in Sydney Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Khawaja will challenge Ponting for no 3 slot, says Waugh - Jan 04, 2011
- Oz selectors face hard choice to retain Ponting at No 3: Waugh - Jan 04, 2011
- Ashes: Aussies will err if they leave out 'Mr.Cricket' Hussey, says Arthur - Nov 03, 2010
- Australia recall Hilfenhaus, Cowan set for Test debut against India - Dec 21, 2011
- Australia name unchanged side for second Test - Dec 08, 2011
- Usman Khawaja joins Derbyshire - Jan 21, 2011
- Arthur firming up as favourite to coach Australia - Jan 20, 2011
- Usman Khawaja considering moving to Queensland - May 01, 2012
- Clarke to lead Australia in fifth Ashes Test - Dec 30, 2010
- Ponting not going anywhere: Micky Arthur - May 01, 2012
- Oz Ashes squad composition has caused uncertainty among players: Arthur - Nov 17, 2010
- I'm not here to fill Ponting's shoes, says Usman Khawaja - Dec 31, 2010
Tags: arthur, attitude, australian captain, boxing day, boxing day test, captain ricky ponting, coach, game test, herald sun, India, long term goal, marsh, melbourne, mickey, ricky, selectors, test cricket, test debut, test innings, test match