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"Khawaja stops the sabotage": Why veteran won't be dropped for Ashes
SEN • October 24th, 2025 11:58 am
Despite some experts suggesting that Usman Khawaja’s place in Australia's XI should be subject to more scrutiny, Robert Craddock has emphatically defended the veteran star, saying he is a lock for at least the first three Ashes Tests.
The 38-year-old, who will turn 39 during the Adelaide Test against England, has been relatively untouched by the critics amid a relentless debate over Australia’s opening options for the forthcoming series.
But in recent days the likes of Bharat Sundaresan and Mark Taylor have cast doubt on Khawaja being a certainty for selection with he likes of Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald the options. Sam Konstas looks set to wait for his chance.
For Craddock however, there is absolutely no advantage or sense in Australia’s selectors even considering going into the first Test in Perth on November 21 with two rookies.
“Renshaw still needs more. He’s had a nice century this season, but he averaged 29 last year and that is no one’s idea of a test player,” Craddock told SENQ Breakfast.
“He looked OK last night before he got out, but Jake Weatherald is ahead of Renshaw. Maybe one century against NSW this week and he (Weatherald) is in.
“Do you really want two rookie openers together? Opening the batting in Test cricket is the supreme challenge.
“What Khawaja has, I know he’s had some average years, but before that his effort was outstanding. He was the mattress that stopped the middle order form sabotage.
“His numbers aren’t great, but he is a lock and yes there is a chance he doesn’t play the whole series.
“He’s a lock to start the series. He is playing the first three Tests no matter what his scores are. If he is going spectacularly bad, Renshaw could come in.”
When it comes to what is expected of an opener, Craddock shed light on the numbers selectors will be looking for.
“When you’re an opening batsman, average is OK,” he continued. “It’s become so hard to open with these new balls, if you can average 32 then great.
“If you told selectors 'Uz' would average 32 for the five Tests they would take that. Being average can be good if your rivals are less than average.
“Khawaja last year he averaged 38 in seven Tests, the year before across nine Tests he had 25 before then 52, 67.
“His performance last year, I don’t think there’s any other opener in Australia that has that.
“Khawaja plays on if (Australia is up 2-0 after three). If Australia is up, Khawaja plays the series. It’s a simple as that.”
