Awesome to represent Australia in Test cricket: Khawaja

MELBOURNE - Usman Khawaja, who is getting cricket fans vote in numbers to join the Australian team at the expense of Marcus North or Mike Hussey, has said that it would be awesome to represent the country.

Khawaja is receiving a good support to play in the first Ashes Test from foxsports.com.au users, after the recent form slump of Australian middle order batsmen.

In a recent blog asking users to name their Ashes XI, cricket fans voted in huge numbers for Khawaja.

Khawaja, 23, realises he is edging closer to his dream, but he is doing his best to contain his excitement and keep his feet on the ground.

“If I could just play any game for Australia, whether it be in the Ashes or anything, it would be freakin’ awesome. But if I think too much like that, it might not happen at all,” FOX Sports quoted Khawaja, as saying.

“You pretty much have to block out those distractions because we are not only playing four-day games. I still have to perform for the Blues in the one-dayers and Twenty20s, and worry about that first,” he said.

“The season has only just started and between now and the Ashes, there are still a few games. So even if something happens, I still have to keep putting my hand up and scoring runs,” Khawaja said.

“And even if I keep doing that, the guys in the Aussie team have been there for a while and cemented their spot by playing well for Australia over a long period of time,” he added.

Khawaja averages 53.9 in his 21 first-class matches to date, and he staked his claim for Ashes selection by hitting a double-century against South Australia in New South Wales’ opening Sheffield Shield match. (ANI)