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The Australian team has reached Sri Lanka for a Test and ODI series against the home team. The first Test between the two nations will begin on January 29 in Galle as both teams prepare for a crucial clash in the longest format of the game. However, before the vital match against Sri Lanka, the first Australian match Usman Khawaja is spending his time and energy in the nets trying to ascend a rather unconventional shot by his standards, the reverse sweep. This led to a joyful exchange of thoughts between Khawaja and his young opening partner Sam while receiving a history lesson from the experienced opener.
Usman Khawaja on difficulties faced by batsmen in reverse sweep shots
After the training session in Galle International StadiumKhawaja spoke about his experiences in Sri Lanka in Cricket AustraliaThe official channel during the course of his long and decorated cricketing career. In the midst of that, he pointed out the approving comments that Konstas and other national team teammates made in their reverse sweep practice in the nets to which he gave a cheerful response.
“Yeah, yeah, show some respect, okay, it wasn’t easy when I started playing the reverse sweep. You serve by playing that and you get crucified. Now you’re good” Was Khawaja’s response pointing out the conservative mentality that the cricket community had in the past when he was young?
Furthermore, he also commented on the experiences of playing in Sri Lanka and subcontinental conditions in general. He also talked about the difference between playing Australian and subcontinental pitches for a batsman. This is Khawaja’s fifth tour to Sri Lanka. He was part of the Australian team on their previous 4 Test tours to the island nation and one under-19 campaign as a youth.
Here is the video
Usman Khawaja is back for the Test tour number for Sri Lanka, and things have changed with the reverse sweep🤣#SLVAUS pic.twitter.com/qt9fo1ko0n
– cricket.com.au (@Cricketcau) January 26, 2025
Also Read: Sri Lanka announce Test squad for Australia series; Includes 2 unlimited players
Khawaja revealed retirement plan ahead of Sri Lanka trip
The 38-year-old had a quiet season and failed to make a mark with the bat in the home series against India in which the Australian team triumphed to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. Speculation was rife that the veteran Australian opener might opt for retirement from Test cricket after the conclusion of the coveted bilateral series, but Khawaja had thoughts of his own on the matter.
After the series, Khwaja sat down to chat in Roar.com in which he talked about his retirement plans and potentially when he could say goodbye to the game. During the discussion, Khwaja expressed his openness and flexibility on the matter and left it to the Australian team management to decide his future.
“There are definitely those thoughts (leaning on Sydney) in my head, I’m not afraid to talk about it. I am human. I would still like to play Ashes with a minimum. I try not to think too far ahead, that’s as far ahead as I’ll think. As long as we win, I’m still contributing, my body still feels good, I’ll play. To me it always feels more like one summer at a time,” Khwaja commented on rumors of his retirement from the longest format of the game.
Furthermore, he also noted that ups and downs are part and parcel of the game and he is used to the disappointment of not living up to the mark at times.
“(Playing in the subcontinent) has been a love-hate relationship. (But) there will be times when you get runs, times you don’t get runs. You respect that as you get older. Cricket always ebbs and flows. I’m very in tune with that now.” The 38-year-old concluded.
