Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin says he expects Usman Khawaja to play in the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba next week.
Khawaja and Travis Head appear to be locked in a battle for the number five spot in the batting order.
Khawaja hasn’t played a Test since the 2019 Ashes tour, while Head was dropped during last summer’s series against India.
READ MORE: Shane Warne says Nathan Lyon could face Test axe
READ MORE: Aussie teen named NBA Rookie of the Month
READ MORE: Sharks discard looks to revive NRL career via stint in England
In Khawaja’s favour is the fact he averages 52.97 in Test matches in Australia, but he turns 35 next month and is giving away seven years in age to Head.
While Head is the long-term option, given the high profile nature of the Ashes series selectors may have no issue with picking Khawaja to fix a short-term problem.
Speaking on the Follow-On podcast, Haddin made the case for Khawaja.
“I can’t see them picking Usman Khawaja in the squad and not playing him in the Test,” he said.
“I see no reason why you’d have a 34-year-old in the squad if you are not going to play him. He’s been in good form. I know it’s tough on Travis Head. He will get his time playing for Australia.
“I think someone like Khawaja, he’s experienced and pretty chilled with where he’s at as a cricketer and person.
“He’s been leading Queensland to very attractive cricket over the last couple of years and batting at four scoring runs. He has a good understanding with Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. I don’t mind that experience.”
Both Khawaja and Head top the batting averages for their respective states in this season’s Sheffield Shield. Khawaja has made 460 runs at 65.71 for Queensland, while Head has scored 349 runs for South Australia at 49.25.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!