‘It's a huge call to make’ – Ricky Ponting feels Usman Khawaja’s century might not guarantee him a place in final Ashes Test

Usman Khawaja scored a magnificent century for the Australian side in the 4th Ashes Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Khawaja’s 137 helped the Australian side pile up a total of 416/8 in their first innings.

Now, Ricky Ponting feels that in spite of his century, Khawaja might not be guaranteed a place in the starting XI. Ponting also added that Khawaja was not in the initial starting XI of the Australian side for the Ashes series.

The former Aussie cricketing great also added that Khawaja has proven to the selectors that he is good enough for international cricket with his sublime ton.

“It just happens, it’s a huge call to make. But you’ve got to go back to what your first picked team was, because at the start of the series it was the strongest XI that Australia could put out. What it does do is just reaffirm in Usman’s own mind that he’s good enough for international level still and gives selectors the ammunition they need for future teams they’re picking,” said Ricky Ponting as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Usman Khawaja has found a way to get the job done: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting further opined that Usman Khawaja has been misunderstood as a player through the course of his career. Ponting concluded by stating that the left-handed Khawaja has always found a way to get things done for the Australian side with the willow in hand.

“He’s been a bit misunderstood as a player and as a person throughout his career. That’s probably been something that a lot of people have held against him. But if you watch the way that he’s played today and look back at some of the other times in his career when things have been really difficult, more often than not he’s found a way to get the job done for himself and for his team,” concluded Ponting.