'Pretty hard to go past him' - Pat Cummins hints Usman Khawaja might retain his place for final Ashes Test

Usman Khawaja scored two hundreds for the Australian side in the 4th Ashes Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Khawaja had come in as a replacement for Travis Head into the playing XI and produced a performance for the ages with the willow.

And now, the captain of the Australian Test side, Pat Cummins has revealed that it would be difficult to drop a batter who has scored two hundreds in a Test match. Cummins also added that the selectors will sit and work out the Australian playing combination for the final Test match.

Cummins also opined that Khawaja played in a fantastic manner at the SCG, and has also got a lot of experience under his belt.

“I’ll preface it by saying I’m not a selector, but when someone comes out and hits twin hundreds, it’s pretty hard to go past them for the week after. So we’ll work through that, the selectors will work through that the next few days. But when someone’s running hot, has got a heap of experience like Uzzy, the way he plays is fantastic,” said Cummins as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

I feel Usman Khawaja can replace any batter from No.1 to No.6: Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins also opined that Usman Khawaja can replace any batter from No.1 to No.6 in the Australian lineup. Adding that Khawaja is in total command of his batting, Cummins concluded by stating that he loves to have an experienced willow wielder like Khawaja in the playing XI.

“Felt like he could replace any batter from one to six. I know there’s been question marks historically on him playing over in Asia but you see how well he’s played spin recently – reverse sweeping, sweeping – he’s just someone who’s in total command of his game. That’s why you love experience,” concluded Pat Cummins.