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Finch, Watto likely to open: Khawaja

Usman Khawaja says Aaron Finch and Shane Watson are likely to open the batting for Australia in the World Twenty20 and he's not fussed if that's the case.

Usman Khawaja (L) and coach Darren Lehmann
Usman Khawaja expects to be squeezed out of Australia's XI for their World T20 opener against NZ. (AAP)

Usman Khawaja expects to be squeezed out of Australia's XI for their World Twenty20 opener against New Zealand on March 18.

Aided by a three-match series against South Africa, selectors have largely settled on their side for the trans-Tasman clash in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala.

However, the opening combination is likely to remain a topic of much debate.

Shane Watson, Aaron Finch and Khawaja all have strong claims when it comes to the two spots at the top of the order.

All three had cameos in the 2-1 T20 series win over the Proteas but only two will take on NZ.

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"Finchy was there before I was, when I came into the team he was T20 captain (and had just strained his hamstring)," Khawaja said after scoring 33 in Cape Town.

"He was the incumbent, I was the player coming in. I sort of expect him to come back into the team.

"He's one of the best T20 players in the world.

"Then Watto's been such a great player for Australia ... his white-ball form lately has been great. He offers a lot with the ball too."

Khawaja added the competition for places in the XI was healthy and he got on well with both Finch and Watson.

"It's fine. We're pretty laid back," he said.

"We're pretty good mates off the field. I've known Finchy since I was kid ... and obviously I play with Watto at the Thunder so it's a good relationship."

Khawaja is yet to be told where he sits in the mix but insists he won't be losing any sleep over the issue.

"I'm just so nonchalant about it now. I'm just chilled out," Khawaja said.

"I've been dropped, I've been picked when some other guy has been dropped. I've been on both ends of it.

"Whatever they want to do, they'll do.

"There's some things you can't control in life and that's one of them."

Khawaja noted his knee reconstruction last year helped shape such a mindset.

"I'm just enjoying playing cricket. I'm happy that I'm fit and healthy, I don't have too much to complain about," he said.

Finch and Watson are the frontrunners in the selection race but Khawaja scored two centuries in an impressive Big Bash League stint with the Sydney Thunder this summer.

"We've got a lot of batting depth and strength, it's obviously one of our strengths," Khawaja said.

"We've got hitters down the order."


3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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