Khawaja prolonged his positive begin to the sequence in England with a sometimes environment friendly second-innings 77 as Australia regarded to press residence their benefit within the second Take a look at at Lord’s on Saturday.
The 36-year-old had already delivered a man-of-the-match efficiency in Australia’s latest first Take a look at win at Edgbaston, scoring 141 and 65 as he turned one in all solely 13 gamers to bat on all 5 days of a Take a look at.
He’s completely suited to the function of Australia’s quiet anchorman after spending a lot of his life attempting to keep away from being the centre of consideration.
Pakistan-born Khawaja moved to Australia together with his household when he was 5 years previous, rising up within the shadow of the Sydney Cricket Floor.
Khawaja rapidly picked up his father’s love for cricket, however alternatives to observe Australia in motion have been few and much between for a household that might not afford tickets on the SCG.
As a substitute, Khawaja would wait outdoors the gates within the hope of being allowed in without spending a dime later within the day.
That was the least of Khawaja’s worries throughout his cricket journey, with racism a recurring theme in his youthful years.
“At college I used to be referred to as issues by different youngsters I had by no means heard earlier than,” he stated after revealing he was routinely labelled a “curry muncher” by different kids.
“Getting sledged by opposition gamers and their dad and mom was the norm. A few of them stated it simply quietly sufficient for under me to listen to.”
Khawaja was pressured to construct a resilient persona to deal with the abuse.
“It nonetheless harm, however I might by no means present it. More often than not it was after I scored runs,” he stated.
That refusal to be cowed by the ignorance round him stood Khawaja in good stead and he finally turned the primary Muslim to play for Australia when he was chosen to face England in 2011.
“I’ve grown up as a colored cricketer in a really white Anglo-Saxon nation and a really white Anglo-Saxon cricket group,” he stated.
“I stick out like a sore thumb. I do not drink, I quick, English was my second language, my title is Usman Khawaja. Whenever you consider an Australian cricketer you don’t image me.”
Even after breaking into the Australia group, Khawaja nonetheless had obstacles to beat as he struggled to carry down a daily place.
Following a two-year absence, he was solely recalled to the Take a look at group in January 2022 as a result of Travis Head was dominated out of an Ashes conflict after testing constructive for Covid-19.
Khawaja seized his likelihood and is now established because the metronome on the prime of the Australian batting order.
Khawaja’s maiden Take a look at hundred in England prompted him right into a uncommon show of emotion as he roared with delight and punched the air.
Even England bowler Ollie Robinson’s foul-mouthed sledging after dismissing Khawaja within the first Take a look at could not unsettle the opener.
“I’ve no challenge in coping with battle, as a result of I’ve finished all of it my life,” he stated.
After internalising the difficulties he encountered for thus lengthy, Khawaja lastly feels in a position to categorical himself.
It was instructive to notice his response to Australia’s victory towards India within the World Take a look at Championship simply previous to the Ashes sequence.
Taking to social media, Khawaja had a degree to make.
“Celebrating with a Weight loss plan Coke. Some previous heads name it Un-Australian,” he wrote. “I name it the brand new Australian. A sport for all.”
