Twitter Reactions: Usman Khawaja gives a headache to the management with a fine 89

The return of Steve Smith and David Warner has tightened up things for Australia giving the captain and the management several headaches. While they managed to pass the squad selection hurdle, team combination is going to be another major concern. Usman Khawaja has relished the opener’s spot and has performed quite consistently at this spot for a while now. Even in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka, he scored a fine 89 and put his team on the top.

At the same time, Aaron Finch hasn’t done much wrong either and was brilliant in the UAE a few weeks ago. With Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh also doing well, picking the right batting line-up is going to get extremely difficult. There weren’t any doubts about Australia’s domination in the game against the Lankans. The side has struggled for a while now and it was no different this time either.

The Asian team won the toss and opted to bat first. However, their batting concerns were evident yet again. Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhananjaya de Silva were the top scorers for the side with 56 and 43 respectively. Most of the other batsmen got off to starts but couldn’t carry on for long. Every bowler who has handed the ball, except Marcus Stoinis picked up at least one wicket. Even Steve Smith managed to dismiss Angelo Mathews as Sri Lanka scored 239/8 in 50 overs.

Usman Khawaja fights hard to cement his opening position

Australia lost the wicket of skipper Aaron Finch early in the chase. Nuwan Pradeep trapped him LBW for 11 runs. Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis – all got into the thirties but couldn’t kick along and put up a big score. It was Usman Khawaja all the way through for Australia but fell 11 runs short of what otherwise should’ve been a great ton. Yet, the team managed to register a comfortable 5-wicket win and achieved all the targets set for this game as well.

Twitterati was glad that Australia did it again without much help from Warner and Smith. They have termed this Australian side one of the hot favourites to win the tournament and think Khawaja should be one of the openers. Also, the fans were delighted to see Mitchell Starc bowl after a long while.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

While everyone is estimating England and India to be the hot favorites to win the world cup. The current form of Australia team can turn the tables around! #AUSvSL #WorldCup2019 #CricketWorldCup2019

— Charchit Jain (@chichijain) May 27, 2019

two in two for Australia in the warm-up matches! ????#AUSvSL

— Nikhil Mane ???????????? (@nikhiltait) May 27, 2019

I’m not certain that this game really made our selection issues that much easier.

It likely decided who gets dropped between Marsh and Khawaja. But I’m not certain that should be the debate.

Was still good to get some time on the pitch into certain players

#AUSvSL #CWC19

— Marshal (@Marshal41135902) May 27, 2019

#AUSvSL Alex Carey is the waste talent of Australian cricket

— Sharique (@Shariqu96777962) May 27, 2019

Who’s the back up keeper for Australia this World Cup? What if Carey gets injured or more likely falls out of form? #CWC19 #AUSvSL

— World Cup Whisperer (@jackmassie) May 27, 2019

#AUSvSL Alex care is the worst Australian pick for the World Cup why not peter handscomb

— Sharique (@Shariqu96777962) May 27, 2019

Always good to see Usman Khawaja in the runs. Such a great player who rarely gets the credit he deserves. #AUSvSL

— michaelking (@michaelking59) May 27, 2019

“I’ve never seen a player in my life who wants to bat as much as Steve Smith” – @MClarke23 on @stevesmith49 #AUSvSL #CWC19

— Nikhil Mane ???????????? (@nikhiltait) May 27, 2019

Usman Khawaja has been in sublime form but his approach at the top is bit like 2000’s. Not gonna help Australia while chasing 320+ targets..#cwc19 #AUSvSL

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) May 27, 2019

I guess we were like 50 runs short #AUSvSL

— Chameen Abeywickrama (@chameanz) May 27, 2019

Hello I’m Marcus Stoinis and I played for RCB this season. So, here take my wicket. #AUSvSL

— Manya (@CSKian716) May 27, 2019

Looks like Usman Khawaja will play first match for Australia! But who will be dropped? Warner or S Marsh? big question for Australia management. #AUSvSL #CWC19

— ⓢⓗⓘⓜⓐⓝⓣⓞ (@imshimanto) May 27, 2019

Stoinis should keep that red cloth in his pocket always. The first ball he faces after it falls out and he holes out. #AUSvSL

— James Godby (@jimlikescricket) May 27, 2019

Marcus Stoinis loses his powers without his magic red cloth. #AUSvSL

— Sim Howe (@SimHowe) May 27, 2019

Khawaja is in insane form! If Australia do make it high in the tournament, he’s going to play a huge role for them! #CWC19 #AUSvSL

— S.A.H (@SAHTPW1) May 27, 2019