‘We started playing Call of Duty’ - Usman Khawaja reflects on how video games helped him get easy with James Anderson

There is no doubt that star Australian opener Usman Khawaja shares a deep camaraderie with veteran English pacer James Anderson. Despite being fierce rivals on the international circuit, both share a deep bond off the field, and one of the biggest reasons for that is due to their days together at the Lancashire Cricket Club.

Both players used to compete side by side in Lancashire back in 2014, and despite Anderson being a shy and reserved individual at first, he warmed up to Khawaja eventually, and one big reason for the same was the video game ‘Call of Duty’. 

Recently, Khawaja came forward to reveal how it was Call of Duty that helped him break the ice with Anderson and build a strong bond with one of England’s greatest Test pacers. Khawaja revealed Anderson came to his room back in 2014 and they both started playing Call of Duty, which gradually became a key factor in them becoming friends. 

"I was at Lancashire in 2014. He (Anderson) was a very quiet, reserved guy - I wasn't quite sure how to take him. Then somehow - I was addicted to Call of Duty on Play Station at the time, and so was he! That's how we broke the ice. He came to my room, and we started playing Call of Duty, and I started getting along pretty well with him after that," Khawaja told reporters ahead of the fourth Ashes Test. 

I think there's always room for Jimmy Anderson in the team: Khawaja

Furthermore, Khawaja also heaped massive praise on Anderson and his longevity. He was of the opinion that he always has time for the veteran pacer and that there is always room for someone of his stature in the team.

"I've got a lot of time for Jimmy - he's been an outstanding cricketer for such a long time, and he's got his own end named after him, so he must be doing something right! I think there's always room for Jimmy Anderson in the team," Khawaja said.