'Hopefully, I don’t experience a down again' - Usman Khawaja on his form ahead of Ashes 2023

Australia won the World Test Championship final 2023 on Sunday, June 11, as they beat India by a massive margin of 209 runs. Following their historic win, Australia will next lock horns with England in Ashes 2023 starting from June 16 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The upcoming series is going to be extremely crucial for star Australian opener Usman Khawaja who doesn’t have a great record in England.

In the 14 innings played in England, Khawaja has scored 249 runs at an average of 17.78. However, the southpaw has been in tremendous form since his comeback to the Australian Test team in 2022 and has been averaging over 60 with the bat. Talking about how he’s going to fare in the English conditions this time around, Khawaja said that ups and downs are part of the game.

“Cricket is just that kind of game, it goes up and down, up and down. Hopefully, I don’t experience a down again, but odds are I will. If you play long enough you always do. That’s just the crux of it,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Notably, the opening batter was a part of Australia’s squad in The Ashes 2019 held in England, following which he was dropped from the side after his dismal outing during the series. He later made a comeback in Ashes 2021- 22 and has been in imperious form since then. However, he hasn’t had a great beginning in England again as he got dismissed for 0 and 13 in the two innings of the WTC 2023 final.

Further talking about his experience being in the Australian team, Khawaja said that he has always felt like an outsider.

I always felt like an outsider: Usman Khawaja

“Luckily, my teammates were always respectful to me. But I always felt like an outsider. I don’t drink (alcohol). And I don’t buy guys drinks. But I’ve no issues with people drinking alcohol, either, it’s your life, do whatever you want to do. I respect that and they respect me,” he added.

The 36-year-old once again has an important tour of England coming up which could well decide where his future in the Australian team. Khawaja doesn’t have much time to find a way to succeed in England as the first Ashes Test begins on June 16. Australia have retained the Ashes in the last three series and will be eager to do it fourth consecutive time by finding a way to get past England’s ‘Bazball’ ploy.