Ahead of the West Indies series, Usman Khawaja has shared candid thoughts about his current role and future in international cricket. In an exclusive chat with Cricbuzz, the veteran Australian opener made it clear that his focus now is solely on contributing to the team.
Speaking from the team hotel lobby in Barbados, Khawaja reflected: “I’m not here for myself anymore. I’m here for the team. I could have stopped playing two years ago really. But I found that I was still contributing, still trying to be the best player for the team at that opening spot, trying to do what I can do, that hasn’t changed for me. When it does, you guys will surely find out.”
Khawaja also embraced the opportunity to mentor rising star Sam Konstas, who is being groomed as a future opener in the post-David Warner era.
“I’m very attuned to whatever is best for the team. That is what I’m trying to do. For me I feel like I have plenty to give still. To be honest, plenty to give young Sam Konstas too opening the batting. To help Sammy along through his journey, trying to impart as much knowledge as I can. I won’tbe around forever. But it’s very important that I can do whatever I can to guide him through.”
“We’ll cross the bridge when it comes.” – Khawaja on His Future
With two major Test series on the horizon and the Ashes not far away, Khawaja remained open-ended about his long-term future. Rather than setting fixed goals, he prefers to focus on short-term performance and team outcomes.
“I’ve talked to Andrew McDonald that the next two big series are very big for us. With new players coming in, Konstas, Greeney and there’s a bit of a transition starting to happen to the future. I’ll play this series, hopefully do well and play the next series and do well, we win, we finish up and there’s always a conversation going on. I’m not the guy who’s going ‘I want to play for another 10 years’. We’ll cross the bridge when it comes.”
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz