Usman Khawaja

The opener's recent success in the Test arena stems from the trust he's developed in his technique and his approach to building an innings.

This is not to say that it'll be any easier than it would have been for him to get the better of them at any other stage of his career. This wonderful phase in his batting career also sets him up nicely for the one challenge he's never got a chance to overcome in his career. And the way he's owned his approach in this his second coming at this level ever since he paid an ode to LeBron this time last year. But rather than fuss over it, Khawaja has gone away in the nets and worked diligently with Michael Di Venuto on getting into positions where he is able to judge what to play at and what to leave alone with even better precision than usual. So much so that it seems strange that it has taken him till the fifth Test of what has been a very batting-friendly summer to score a century. A year on, as Khawaja brought up his 13th Test century, starting off 2023 the way he'd started off 2022, his little jig seemed more like a pure celebration of where he is in life.

Everyone at the SCG on Thursday afternoon was muttering the same question as Usman Khawaja brought up his 13th Test century. How was this guy not in the ...

“I used to get a lot of people come up to me saying, ‘Uzzie, you’re so serious, you’re so serious all the time’. We know he can subdue the new ball ... Retirement speculation has followed David Warner all summer, but his opening partner is seemingly in the prime of his career. “He could go on. “You can see he plays all around the wicket, he trusts his defence really well and he knows his scoring opportunities. Covid replacement for Travis Head in this very game 12 months ago, over a thousand Test runs. But on New Year’s Eve, news emerged that Travis Head had tested positive for Covid-19, and would be required to complete seven days of quarantine in Melbourne, ruling him out of the SCG Test. “Never take anything for granted. National selectors rewarded his consistency by naming him as the squad’s reserve batter for that summer’s Ashes series. He was suddenly undroppable. He’s worked really hard and he’s a different player to what he was four years ago against spin.” It came after an underwhelming eight months for the left-hander, averaging 28.80 with the bat in nine Tests between December 2018 and August 2019.

Rain managed to pose more of a problem to Usman Khawaja than the South African bowlers previously did with the third day of the final Test match in the ...

Although more rain is forecast for Saturday, before clear conditions are tipped for the final day. 25 Sydney (110) 2 Adelaide (81)

The Australia batter has begun 2023 by making his highest Test score.

[Kyle Mayers](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/kyle-mayers-348056)in Perth and [Devon Thomas](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/devon-thomas-248920), who was really the reserve wicketkeeper, in Adelaide. [Keshav Maharaj](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/keshav-maharaj-267724), there were plenty of the elements to Khawaja's batting that had been on display in Pakistan, where he made 496 runs in three Tests. Then [at the MCG](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-in-australia-2022-23-1317472/australia-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-1317493/full-scorecard)he nibbled outside off against [Kagiso Rabada](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/kagiso-rabada-550215)before watching much of the rest of batting take apart South Africa's attack. "Think he's just really comfortable the way he's playing," he said. Against South Africa, Khawaja was squared up by a peach from [Anrich Nortje](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/anrich-nortje-481979)in the first innings [at the Gabba](https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-in-australia-2022-23-1317472/australia-vs-south-africa-1st-test-1317492/full-scorecard)before carving to point in the small chase. Khawaja has started 2023 as he started last year. The offspinner caused a few more uneasy moments on a pitch offering occasional assistance, but Khawaja was largely serene. [Usman Khawaja](http://www.espncricinfo.com/player/usman-khawaja-215155)had been the one member of Australia's top five to not make a century this season. "When I played him here in 2016 and then again in South Africa in 2018, you can see he plays all around the wicket, he trusts his defence really well and he knows his scoring opportunities. The West Indies series had been a curious one for Khawaja. Khawaja turned 36 a few weeks ago, the same age as his opening partner and good friend He ended 2022 with 1080 runs at 67.50, and that even included a lean finish in the first two Tests against South Africa.

Khawaja brought up his 13th Test century and third on the trot at the SCG when he pulled South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada for two runs during the opening ...

Their next big assignment will be the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in subcontinent conditions, starting from February 9 onwards. Australia currently leads the three-Test match series against Proteas by 2-0. Australia currently lead the World Test Championship standings and can book their place in the final with a victory in the ongoing Test against South Africa.