Australia opener Usman Khawaja says he stays dedicated to Check cricket as he waits to search out out if he nonetheless has a job to play within the Ashes.
Khawaja turns 39 on Thursday, day two of the third Ashes Check, and is inching nearer to the top of his time in worldwide cricket.
He began the collection towards England in Perth however suffered again spasms that noticed him drop down the order in each innings and Travis Head promoted in his place on the Gabba final week.
The selectors have retained the 85-cap veteran of their squad amid ideas that they may restore Head to his typical spot within the center order and Khawaja insists he is able to go.
“I’m still valued by the team, still asked to be here to play, so I’m here. One hundred per cent fit,” he informed reporters in Adelaide.
“I am not right here to hold on, I am simply right here to get pleasure from my cricket. So long as I am valued I am right here, I am doing my job. I similar to to compete. I can bat so many alternative methods. I have been profitable in all codecs, I’ve received gears once I need to.
“My sample size will tell you that you’ve got to find a way to be consistent for a long period of time, not just over a game or two.”
Khawaja was criticised in some quarters for taking part in a golf match on the eve of the collection, then pulling up injured throughout the opening recreation.
Some even questioned his dedication to the crew however with a 14-year worldwide profession underneath his belt, he feels there is no such thing as a case to reply.
“I could have retired two years ago. I could have retired any time. I’m still very committed,” he mentioned.
“I am the guy who, as much as people sometimes want to have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia. I train hard, I do everything right.
“For me, it is extra about simply being knowledgeable. Folks can have opinions, that is completely no fear to me. I am unable to sit down and fear about what different folks suppose, particularly exterior of the squad.”
Hazlewood determined to continue with Test cricket despite Ashes heartbreak
Josh Hazlewood is now aiming to be match for the Cricket World Cup in 2026
Australia fast Josh Hazlewood has mentioned he’s decided to persist in all three codecs regardless of lacking the whole Ashes collection due to harm.
“My body still feels as strong as ever. It’s just little things here and there that creep in. I’m still determined to play three formats as best I can,” he informed Sydney’s Day by day Telegraph.
“You’re still going to miss the odd game here and there; no one can do it all, unless you’re a batter, but I still enjoy all the different demands of the three formats.
“It retains it contemporary preparing and getting ready for every totally different format.”
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Talking on the Sky Sports activities Cricket podcast, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton debate Brendon McCullum’s ‘overprepared’ declare as England head into an important third Check towards Australia in Adelaide.
Hazlewood, 34, sat out Australia’s victories in Perth and Brisbane with a hamstring difficulty and is now being troubled by an Achilles downside, with the paceman working to be match for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
“Once you’re injured mid-series or just before a series starts, you’re chasing your tail a lot of the time anyway,” he added.
“I probably could have got back for one or two tests with the hamstring, but then you leave yourself quite vulnerable going into a test match on the back of not much.
“Day by day you are not bowling is one other day you have to bowl to get again to the place you had been.
“Obviously things are easier when you’re up and going and you’ve got some good work under you.”
Ashes collection in Australia 2025-26
Australia lead five-match collection 2-0
