Explosive Sydney Thunder all rounder Ben Cutting has gone into bat for his Big Bash captain and close mate Usman Khawaja, calling on Australian selectors to lean on the veteran batsman for Wednesday's Ashes opener at the Gabba.
The 34-year-old Khawaja is part of Australia's 15-man squad ahead of the Ashes, and appears locked in a direct battle with Travis Head for the number five batting spot.
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It comes after he was named as Callum Ferguson's replacement as the captain of the Thunder this summer, who will be without Khawaja for Monday's season opener against the Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval.
"It's the experience he brings alongside the form that he's in currently this summer," Cutting said.
"That's a huge benefit to the Ashes team in such a big first game at the Gabba."
Khawaja has blasted two hundreds, and two half centuries for Queensland already this summer, while he averages 52.97 in Test matches in Australia.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is convinced the veteran left hander will be picked for the Gabba Test, claiming on the Follow On podcast this week that he can't see them picking Khawaja in the squad and not playing him.
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"I see no reason why you'd have a 34-year-old in the squad if you are not going to play him," Haddin told the podcast.
"Someone like Khawaja, he's experienced and pretty chilled with where he's at as a cricketer and person. He's been leading Queensland to very attractive cricket over the last couple of years, and batting at four scoring runs.
"He has a good understanding with Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. I don't mind that experience."
Khawaja hasn't played a Test since the last Ashes series in England, two years ago.
He was dropped after Australia's one-wicket loss at Headingley.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
