Test recall not driving Usman Khawaja, as chief selector plays down lifeline role
Queensland's in-form top order will have the perfect opportunity to build their case for Australian selection against a Mitchell Starc-led NSW at the Gabba on Thursday.
But after being dropped midway through the Ashes series, Usman Khawaja insists a Test return is far from his mind ahead of the Sheffield Shield opener.
The laconic Bulls captain has responded emphatically to his dumping, scoring back-to-back centuries in his only games for Queensland in the one-day domestic competition.
He was replaced in the Test side at first drop by Bulls teammate Marnus Labuschagne, while Joe Burns and Matthew Renshaw can both put pressure on incumbent openers David Warner and Marcus Harris with runs at the same ground the first Test will be played at next month.
It leaves the Bulls with a stacked top four, while Warner, Steve Smith and Starc will ensure there is plenty of star power on display in what Australian selector Trevor Hohns admits is a "very important" Shield round with Test batting spots up for grabs.
Usman Khawaja couldn't fire in the Ashes. Getty
Former Test openers Renshaw and Burns have been in good touch in the 50-over domestic competition, while Renshaw hit a club cricket century last weekend.
Hohns said on Tuesday Warner, who averaged just 9.5 in the Ashes, would need runs to secure his berth against Pakistan from November 21.
Khawaja is in the same boat but says that isn't weighing on his mind.
"I'll take the wins before anything, as long as I'm contributing towards Queensland wins," Khawaja said.
"Hopefully I am scoring runs while doing it but it's about getting as many wins for Queensland as possible."
Usman Khawaja was dropped for the fourth Ashes Test. Getty
Khawaja has opened for Australia in the past and says he's "happy to bat anywhere in whatever team I'm in" but Hohns hinted it was an unlikely option for the Gabba Test.
"He could, we've seen him open for Australia before and had a fair amount of success there as well," the selector said.
"But I think his preferred position is three ... but we know he can do the job in the opening role if we need him to."
Wide World of Sports revealed after Khawaja's Ashes axing that he has the best Test opening batting average in history (96.80), albeit from a small sample of innings. He also averages 53 in Test cricket in Australia, against 40 for his career overall.
Fast bowler Billy Stanlake, fresh off selection in Australia's T20 squad, has also been named in Queensland's 12-man squad after an impressive start to the Bulls' 50-over campaign.
