Shreds By Legendary Cricketers : Australia opener Usman Khawaja was heavily criticized by the former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Ravi Shastri for not taking the first strike to face Jasprit Bumrah during the second innings of the first Test between Australia and India in Perth.
Notably, Khawaja’s new opening partner Nathan McSweeney took the strike in the second innings of the match and was dismissed for a four-ball duck by Jasprit Bumrah. Being a debutant, McSweeney was all at sea against Bumrah, who is arguably the best bowler in the world currently.
Shreds By Legendary Cricketers
Nathan McSweeney was dismissed by Bumrah in the first innings as well. The youngster had no answers to India’s stand-in captain and looked nervous in front of him. He scored 10 and 0 across two innings of the match.
Usman Khawaja receives criticism from Michael Vaughan
While speaking on Fox Sports, Michael Vaughan reckoned that Usman Khawaja should have taken the strike first to Jasprit Bumrah instead of Nathan McSweeney and expected more from the senior player. Shreds By Legendary Cricketers
“I’d have loved to have seen the senior pro Usman Khawaja say to the youngster, ‘I’m taking that first over’,” Vaughan said.
“Twenty-four minutes, it was to just get through the day’s play. Just little details like that, I’d love to have seen the senior player just say to the youngster I’ll take the first over for us,” he added.
➥ Also Read: India vs Australia 1st Test Innings Report
Ravi Shastri slams Usman Khawaja
Former India allrounder Ravi Shastri echoed Vaughan’s sentiments and claimed that the team management and the captain should have told Khawaja to take strike. He mentioned that McSweeney should not be allowed to make such a big decision since he is inexperienced.
“I think the choice should not go to the young man – that’s the job of the team manager and the captain. Usman (Khawaja) should have been told, ‘You are taking strike’,” Shastri said.
“If you go and ask that young kid, if he says, ‘I don’t want to take strike’, word would go around he’s soft. Don’t give him that opportunity. Go and tell the senior pro, ‘Go and take guard,’” he added.
Performances of Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja
Nathan McSweeney had a tough Test match on debut facing the world’s best bowler. He could not make his mark and was dismissed cheaply in both the innings. Despite having a disappointing match in Perth, he is likely to get more chances in the series.
Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja was also below par in the first Test. The left-handed opener scored 8 and 4 across both the innings in Perth. Australia have high expectations from their senior opener and he will be expected to perform in the upcoming Tests.
The next Test will be played in Adelaide from December 6-10. It will be the only day-night Test of the series and will be played with pink ball. India is likely to bring back their regular captain Rohit Sharma for this match. Rohit will take over the captaincy from Jasprit Bumrah.
➥ Also Read: India vs Australia 1st Test Innings Report
