Usman - players.bio

Ton-up Usman Khawaja Keeps England At Bay In Ashes Opener

Usman Khawaja ended his decade-long wait for a maiden Test hundred in England as he led an Australia recovery in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston on Saturday. Australia were struggling at 67-3 after Stuart Broad struck twice in two balls to remove David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne before England captain Ben Stokes captured the prize wicket of star batsman Steve Smith. But they had recovered to 311-5 at stumps on the second day of this five-match series, with opening batsman Khawaja 126 not out and wicketkeeper Alex Carey unbeaten on 52 in an unbroken stand of 91. That still left Australia 82 runs behind England's first-innings 393-8 declared built on Joe Root's 118 not out.

Usman Khawaja leads Australia's strong reply in opening Ashes Test

Opening batsman Usman Khawaja scored his first century in England to help Australia fight their way back in the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Australia's Usman Khawaja hits ton to keep England at bay in opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston

A superb century from Usman Khwaja kept Australia in the hunt in the opening Test of the Ashes series at Edgbaston, but England may rue missed opportunities. Australia began the day trailing England by 379 runs and looked in trouble on a couple of occasions, but Khawaja (126*) and Alex Carey (52*) put on 91 for the sixth wicket to cut the deficit to 82 at stumps on day two. Ad Carey and Khawaja were given reprieves by England in the evening session, but with the pitch beginning to misbehave on what is only the second day — and with the knowledge that Australia will have to bat last on a wearing surface — Ben Stokes’ men will still have high hopes.

"Fitting In...": Usman Khawaja On "Biggest Challenge" While Playing For Australia

Pakistan-born Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja feels the biggest challenge throughout his career has been fitting in the national team by being true to himself and also earning the respect of his teammates through his on-field performances. Born in Islamabad, Khawaja was the first Pakistan-born cricketer to play Test cricket for Australia when he made his debut in 2011. "The biggest challenge for me throughout my career playing for Australia has been fitting in. For me it is always about fitting in and feeling like I can be myself in the Australian cricket team and that has taken a little bit of time," Khawaja told the ICC.

"You Never Write Off A Great Player": Usman Khawaja On David Warner Ahead Of WTC Final

Australian left-handed batter Usman Khawaja believes that his opening partner David Warner is showcasing some best cricket for quite some time. Two months ago in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the left-handed batter only managed to score 26 runs from three innings against India. Overall Warner has had a poor form according to his own standards. His excellence was on display last year as he struck a mesmerising 200 in his 100th Test match against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. But now Warner will be looking to overcome his poor form of run and showcase his true skill and experience.

'David Warner Is Looking Good For WTC Final, Ashes', Says Usman Khawaja

Australian batting stalwart Usman Khawaja believes fellow opener David Warner is probably at his best as he prepares for the tough English summer, which includes the World Test Championship final against India and the Ashes. Warner, 36, had endured a difficult tour of India earlier this year, and even though the Delhi Capitals skipper showed attacking intent while amassing 516 runs from 14 matches in the IPL, he will have his task cut out in the seaming English conditions. However, Warner, likely on his final tour of England, received a big endorsement from Khawaja, who said the stalwart was "looking good" for the challenges ahead.

Usman Khan: 'My dream is not to play for Pakistan - it's to play for UAE'

Representing the UAE national team is not a dream universally held by all aspiring young cricketers in the Emirates, let alone Pakistan.

'England The Toughest Place In World To Bat For Top-Three Batters: Usman Khawaja

Australia opener Usman Khawaja believes England's pitches are the ultimate Test for top-three batters and the only way to train for the conditions there is to work really hard and have very low expectations. Khawaja has struggled in English conditions, averaging just 19.66 from six Tests, which is a below-average showing from him given that he has scored an amazing 1,608 runs at 69.91 in 16 Tests since he was recalled to the Test side in January last year. The 36-year-old is expected to be in the thick of things during the World Test Championship final against India and the subsequent five-Test Ashes series in England.

Contacts

Usman Sport News

Ton-up Usman Khawaja Keeps England At Bay In Ashes Opener

Usman Khawaja leads Australia's strong reply in opening Ashes Test

Australia's Usman Khawaja hits ton to keep England at bay in opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston

"Fitting In...": Usman Khawaja On "Biggest Challenge" While Playing For Australia

"You Never Write Off A Great Player": Usman Khawaja On David Warner Ahead Of WTC Final

'David Warner Is Looking Good For WTC Final, Ashes', Says Usman Khawaja

Usman Khan: 'My dream is not to play for Pakistan - it's to play for UAE'

'England The Toughest Place In World To Bat For Top-Three Batters: Usman Khawaja