The Australian team has arrived in Sri Lanka for a Test and ODI series against the home side. The first Test between the two nations is set to begin on January 29 in Galle as both teams gear up for a crucial face-off in the longest format of the game. However, before the vital encounter against Sri Lanka, Australian opener Usman Khawaja is investing his time and energy in the nets trying to ace a rather unconventional shot according to his standards- the reverse sweep. This led to a light-hearted exchange of thoughts between Khawaja and his young opening partner Sam Konstas as he received a history lesson from the seasoned opener.
Usman Khawaja at the difficulties batters face on reverse sweep shots
After the training session at Galle International Stadium, Khawaja talked about his experiences in Sri Lanka on Cricket Australia’s official channel during the course of his long and decorated career as a cricketer. In the midst of that, he pointed out the passing remarks Konstas and other teammates of the national team made on his reverse sweep practice in the nets to which he gave a light-hearted reply.
“Yeah, yeah, show some respect, alright, it wasn’t easy when I started playing the reverse sweep. You get out playing that and you get crucified. Now you’re good,” was Khawaja’s reply pointing out the conservative mindset the cricketing community had back in the day when he was a youngster.
Additionally, he also remarked on the experiences of playing in Sri Lanka and in sub-continent conditions in general. He also talked about the difference between playing in Australian and subcontinent pitches for a batter. This is Khawaja’s fifth tour to Sri Lanka. He was a part of the Australian squad in their previous 4 Test tours to the island nation and an Under-19 campaign back when he was a youngster.
Here’s the video
Usman Khawaja is back for Test tour number for to Sri Lanka, and things have changed with the reverse sweep🤣#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/qT9fo1kO0n
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 26, 2025
Also Read: Sri Lanka announces Test squad for the Australia series; includes 2 uncapped players
Khawaja revealed his retirement plan before trip to Sri Lanka
The 38-year-old had a silent season and failed to leave 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 after 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 have a chat on roar.com in which he talked about his retirement plans and potentially when he could bid farewell to the game. During the discussion, Khwaja expressed his openness and flexibility on the matter and left it on Australian team management to decide his future.
“There’s definitely those thoughts (bowing out in Sydney) in my head, I’m not afraid to talk about that. I’m human. I’d still like to play the Ashes at a bare minimum. I try not to think too far ahead, that’s as far ahead as I’ll think. As long as we’re winning, I’m still contributing, my body’s still feeling good, I’ll play. For me it always feels more like one summer at a time,” Khwaja remarked on rumours of his retirement from the longest format of the game.
Additionally, he also pointed out that ups and downs are part and parcel of the game and he is accustomed from the disappointment of not being up to the mark with the bat at times.
“(Playing on the subcontinent) has been a love-hate relationship. (But) there’s going to be times when you score runs, times you don’t score runs. You respect that the older you get. Cricket always ebbs and flows. I’m very attuned to that now,” the 38-year-old concluded.
