Usman Khawaja has hitlist of people he wants to have a crack at every time he performs well: Brad Hogg

Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: BCCI)

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has lauded Usman Khawaja’s performances in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The southpaw ended as the leading run scorer in the four-match series with 333 runs in seven innings at an average of 47.57. After being dropped from Australia’s last two red ball tours to India, Khawaja at last earned his chance and silenced his critics.

The 36-year-old played a marathon 10-hour inning in the fourth Test, where he made 180 off 422 deliveries. The former spinner said that Khawaja was emphatic about his critics, who doubted his ability to spin, especially in subcontinent conditions.

“Khawaja has a hitlist of people he wants to have a crack at every time he performs well. Everyone was telling him that he cannot play spin and then he got a hundred, so he reminded those people who kept him out of the game for a very long time.” Hogg was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

Hogg also spoke about the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who made an impact in the later stages of the tour and scored his maiden Test hundred. Green will be seen playing against India in the first ODI against India at the Wankhede stadium on March 17, which will also be his home ground in a few weeks. The all-rounder was bought by the Mumbai Indians at the 2023 IPL mini-auction for a massive sum of Rs 17.50 crore.

“MI fans will be really happy with Cameron Green, they will also see him bowl at the home venue in the first ODI as well.” Hogg said.

Hogg wants Warner to play in the WTC final, but not the Ashes

The Australian opener David Warner, who revealed his desire to win a Test series in India and England before retiring, is in a very dicey situation now. His India tour had to be cut short due to injury, and Travis Head replaced him as an opener, but there is a larger problem arising.

“If Warner plays the WTC Final, it could be his last game. I think he deserves that, if it was someone who had a short career, I would have considered someone like Cameron Bancroft opening the innings and restoring Head back in the middle order,” he stated.

“It’s once again a horses for courses situation. Travis Head might have to change his role, a bit like KL Rahul. In subcontinent pitches, he can open the batting and back in the middle order in seaming conditions. For the Ashes, Warner out, Bancroft in, and Head in the middle order,” he added.

Warner had a horrible tour of England in 2019, where he was consistently troubled by Broad with the new ball and over the five Tests, he didn’t even manage to cross 100 runs.

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