Australian opener Khawaja batted 796 minutes in the first Ashes Test as his side edged to a famous win at Edgbaston. He reflected on the victory and his performance at the top of the order
Usman Khawaja oozed with pride after his vital contributions in Australia's two-wicket victory over England in the first Ashes test match at Edgbaston.
The opening batter scored 141 in the first innings and 65 in the second to hold together his side's chase of 281. He was stoic, classy, and displayed all the qualities of a traditional Test match opener; an antidote to England's freewheeling style.
Khawaja batted for 796 minutes across his two innings, the fourth most in Ashes Tests, and on every day of the match. He was only the 13th player to do so, a feat of concentration and resilience as others failed around him.
Usman Khawaja batted for 796 minutes in the first Test [Getty Images]
He said: "My career was over in my head. I've said it a million times, but it was. Hard to beat that from an individual point of view but from a team point of view, and wins, this was by far my favourite ever match in my life".
Khawaja was dropped from the Australian team in 2019 after a poor series but since his return he has scored seven centuries in 32 innings and averages 67.66.
"The way it ebbed and flowed, the way they came out, the way we counterattacked, it looked like we'd lost the game with an hour to go and to come back and win, by far my favourite game of all time," he said, reflecting on events at Edgbaston.
Khawaja was not particularly attacking but was accumulative and batted time.
Khawaja celebrates victory with his family [Getty Images]
He said: "As a youngster I had to bat a long time to score runs. I was little, I didn't have too many shots, so I learnt how to bat time from a young age.
"It doesn't always work out like that. I have it in me, I think the majority of the guys up there have it in them.
"I'm just enjoying the game while I can. Enjoying the journey. Wherever I end up by the end of my career I'll definitely be grateful that I had a career for Australia. That's all that matters for me".
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.