Usman Khawaja Declares Fitness Ahead: Australia has received a major boost ahead of the third Ashes Test, with senior batter Usman Khawaja confirming that he is fully fit and available for selection in Adelaide.
After battling back spasms that limited his involvement to just one innings in the opening two Tests, the experienced left-hander says he is now physically ready and mentally prepared for the challenge ahead.
“I’m feeling really good and I’m ready to go,” Khawaja said while speaking to the media, putting to rest doubts over his availability for the crucial pink-ball Test starting December 17.
Australia’s Top-Order Dilemma
Khawaja’s injury absence forced Australia to rethink their opening combination. Regular middle-order batter Travis Head was pushed up the order to open alongside debutant Jake Weatherald, and the duo delivered immediate impact.
Their partnerships of 77 in Perth and 75 and 37 in Brisbane gave Australia strong platforms and played a key role in the hosts taking a 2–0 lead in the series.
Those performances have sparked debate over whether Australia should stick with the in-form opening pair or bring Khawaja back into the XI. While opinions differ, Khawaja himself has remained detached from the outside noise.
“It honestly doesn’t bother me,” he said. “As I’ve got older, I’ve learned to focus on what I can control and not worry about what I can’t.”
Experience, Calm, and Commitment
Now 38, Khawaja brings more than just runs to the Australian side. His experience and composure have been vital in recent seasons, and his record speaks for itself—6,055 runs in 85 Tests at an average of 43.56.
“I’m still valued by the team and still asked to be here, so I’m here,” Khawaja said. “As long as I’m valued, I’ll keep doing my job.”
He also made it clear that he has no interest in prolonging his career without purpose.
“I’m not here to just hang around,” Khawaja explained. “I’m here to enjoy my cricket and compete. I can bat in different ways, change gears when needed, and I’ve had success across formats.”
Blocking Out the Criticism
Khawaja acknowledged that criticism is part of professional sport but stressed that it no longer affects him.