Australia No3’s decision to replace the natural with the essential pays off as he approaches a maiden Ashes century in the fifth Test
Usman Khawaja learned to bat within a cover drive of the SCG. There was a natural romance to his Test debut at the ground against England seven years ago. It inspired a bout of full-blown Usmania. The local newspaper devoted more pages than have ever been written about a knock of 37. His mum sat in the Members Stand praying for her boy’s success. The nation watched on in the belief that the stylish left-hander was a worthy find from Ashes rubble.
It took five years for Usmania to come again. Between times he conceded there were moments when he thought he would not make it. Chances came and went, as did injuries and a move interstate. He was nearly 30 and it still had not clicked. Then, for one long and golden summer, the reality matched the visage that had lived in the memory from January 2011.
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