Smith backs Khawaja's Test future after stellar performance against SL
What's the story
Australia's stand-in cricket captain Steve Smith has backed veteran opener Usman Khawaja to continue his Test career.
Smith's endorsement comes after Khawaja's brilliant performance against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Smith stressed that Khawaja is still doing exceptionally.
"He is still batting exceptionally well and age is only a number," Smith said as quoted by ICC after the game.
The 38-year-old left-handed batter scored a career-best 232 runs in the first Test match against Sri Lanka, which helped Australia win.
Record-breaking innings
Khawaja's performance secures his spot in top 5 run-scorers
Khawaja's record-breaking 232-run innings has made him one of the top five run-scorers in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
This was his first-ever double century, which is even remarkable considering it came on Asian pitches that usually favor spin.
Despite the emergence of younger players such as Sam Konstas, Smith feels Khawaja can continue to spearhead Australia's batting, and stated, "I am sure as long as he wants to play then I am happy with him there for sure."
Performance analysis
Smith defends Khawaja's performance against India
Smith also defended Khawaja's performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, where he struggled against Indian pace star Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite scoring only 184 runs in 10 innings, Smith attributed these difficulties to the challenging conditions and Bumrah's skill.
He stated, "Batting at the top of the order at the moment, particularly in Australia. The amount of seam movement, and you throw into that he's facing Jasprit Bumrah throughout the summer with a brand new ball, fresh every time."
Selection challenges
Australia's selection dilemma for World Test Championship final
Khawaja's consistent performances have all but cemented his spot in the team for the upcoming World Test Championship Final against South Africa.
However, Australia has a selection headache as they look to fit all their best players in the squad.
New entrants such as Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have impressed, while veteran Travis Head has shown versatility by opening with Khawaja.
Confidence boost
Smith confident about Australia's form ahead of final
Smith was confident about his team's form ahead of the World Test Championship Final.
He lauded their performance against Sri Lanka in Galle, where they scored a mammoth 654/6 on a spin-friendly pitch.
"To post 650 on what was a wicket that offered a fair amount of spin, was a very good effort," Smith noted, and then further added, "It was a near-flawless performance."
Stats
Khawaj's stellar Test stats at a glance
Post his stellar maiden double-ton the veteran opener has now raced to 5,867 runs at an average of 45.48.
Across 79 matches and 142 innings, he also boasts 16 tons alongside 27 fifties.
Currently, his highest score reads 232.
According to ESPNcricinfo, he has now registered two tons and one fifty, which has also taken his tally to 596 runs at an average of 49.66.
Additionally, in Asia, he owns 1,544 runs at an average of 61.76.