Shane Warne criticizes Usman Khawaja for lack of intensity

Australia’s number 3 Usman Khawaja haven’t had the best of Ashes as the left-hander has only managed to score 2 fifties in his 5 innings of the series. Australian legend Shane Warne while talking about Khawaja said that he needs to be busier at the crease. He was also critical of Khawaja’s intensity in the middle.

During the historic Boxing Day Test, the 31-year-old managed to stay on the ground but failed to get the scoreboard ticking which added extra pressure on him as well as David Warner who was batting brilliantly. He got out chasing a wide delivery off Stuart Broad after a shaky inning of 17 runs from 65 balls and could only hit 2 boundaries.

Warne told Channel Nine that he (Khawaja) sort of got stuck down there. “He has had a good career. At times there he’s made some wonderful hundreds, but the downside to him is I think he lacks a bit of intensity, lacks a bit of energy, and he’s not busy enough,” said the 48-year-old.

He’s got the talent

Warne said that Khawaja’s career numbers are great but he needs to show better body languages in the middle when he comes out to bat. “We know he’s got the talent, it’s more his body language and his intensity when he comes to the crease. Have a presence, he’s lacking that at the moment,” the former leg-spinner said.

He added that Usman needs to be busy at the crease instead of just blocking the ball and not scoring runs. “He can’t just stand there, block the ball and not have anything else happening. For me, he’s got to be a bit busier.” Warne said that the Australia number 3 is lacking ‘some serious presence as a number three’

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