Khawaja's overseas trouble continues

Usman Khawaja has fallen for four on day one of Australia's second Test against South Africa, giving selectors food for thought.

The gap between Usman Khawaja's Test average in Australia and overseas has widened, with the batsman falling for four in Port Elizabeth.

Khawaja's struggles in South Africa continued on Friday, when he prodded forward to a pinpoint delivery from Vernon Philander.

Quinton de Kock accepted the resultant edge, ending Khawaja's 15-ball stay at the crease.

The left-hander lingered at the crease, seemingly checking with batting partner David Warner as to whether there was a faint edge or not, but trudged off without reviewing.

Selectors have been all too willing to axe Khawaja on previous tours and he could soon be under the pump again.

The Queensland captain's Test average at home is 59.38, while overseas his average is 24.59.

Khawaja shored up his place in Australia's XI with a magnificent knock of 171 at the SCG earlier this year, but since landing in South Africa he has produced scores of 22, eight, 14, six and four.

Peter Handscomb is the reserve batsman in the touring party, but his promotion would likely mean a rejigged batting order.

Khawaja was either dropped or failed to get a game on Australia's previous three Test tours, although that was largely because selectors doubted his ability to face quality spin bowling on the subcontinent.

Five of his six Test tons have come at home, with the other hundred being scored in New Zealand.

Khawaja attracted criticism throughout the recent summer for his presence at the crease.

"It's disappointing, because when I'm scoring runs I'm elegant and when I'm not scoring runs I'm lazy," he said after scoring his first Ashes century.

"I can't seem to win when things aren't going well, but I've had that through my whole career.

"The way cricket works is sometimes you score runs and sometimes you don't, sometimes it feels really simple and easy and sometimes it's a bit of a grind."

KHAWAJA'S TEST RECORD * Home: 1544 runs at 59.38 from 18 Tests (five tons) * Away: 541 runs at 24.59 from 13 Tests (one ton).


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Source: AAP



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