Test matches are the hardest form: Usman Khawaja

Australian left-handed batsman, Usman Khawaja feels that the transition to the longest version of the game is hard for the Australians after a long break from Tests. Australia played their last Test match against New Zealand in February, which was the inaugural pink ball Test match.

Australia is preparing for the series against Sri Lanka starting on 26th July at Pallekele. They are scheduled to play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, and 2 Twenty20 Internationals. Khawaja said that Test matches are the hardest form of the game, both mentally and physically.

“We haven’t played red-ball cricket for a while,” Khawaja said. “Weird seeing the red ball coming down the first time when it did [in an intra-squad practice game]. We were out in the field all day yesterday and you forget how tough being out on the field is. Going to have to do five days of it. Test matches are the hardest form, I reckon, mentally and physically. Going five days, especially in heat like this. If it goes that far, it’s going to be pretty tough. It gets easier the more you do it.” Khawaja said.

“In a way, it’s nice we have got three formats of the game. It can be a lot sometimes but I really enjoyed playing white-ball cricket. Now, enjoying coming back for some Test stuff, doing something different,” he added.

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The stylish left-hander feels that the heat and humidity of the sub-continent will be a huge challenge for the Aussies. “The weather is a big challenge. Very hot and humid. The conditions are different, similar to what you get in West Indies and India. Not too foreign, but one of those places where if you start scoring some runs, you’ll get comfortable. If the wicket deteriorates, though, it could get tough to score too,” he concluded.