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Important SN update for Southland"Cheap and vulnerable": What's going on with Khawaja?
SEN • July 5th, 2025 10:32 am
“Cheap and vulnerable.”
Not the most encouraging words to describe Australia’s top order.
It was meant to be Australia’s half hour of power.
With the West Indies all out for 253, Australia’s opening partnership of Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas had 35 minutes to strut their stuff, to prove themselves worthy of their spots.
Amid increasing pressure on the pair and relentless questioning if they are the right choice, we witnessed a disaster.
Konstas gone for a duck and Khawaja managed just two runs.
Much has been said about the pressure on Konstas who let's not forget is only 19.
But with 18 years more experience on his teammate, questions have to be asked of Khawaja who has been dismissed in near identical fashion in six straight innings.
“They keep getting out similarly and cheaply,” Adam White said on SEN’s The New Ball. “The opposition know the top order are fragile and they know how to get the out.
“Khawaja was the mainstay that was meant to go on to the Ashes and we find someone to partner him.
“This is a bigger issue. Australia needs an opener to take on England.
“Ponting and Kohli towards the end all went out the same way. I don’t think anyone has the answer. What do selectors do?”
Khawaja made 16 in the first innings of the second Test. In Bridgetown last week he managed 47 & 15 while in the World Test Championship he was out for a duck and then 6.
With so many similarities in his dismissals, Bharat Sundaresan said the main concern is just how exposed he looks.
“One is 19 and one is 38,” Sundaresan said on SEN. “In the near future I don’t know who is the bigger concern.
“(Khawaja) throughout the summer there is one ball that troubles him. He is the anchor.
“He needs a technical alteration. He is so vulnerable and susceptible to the ball coming in and getting trapped.
“Maybe you bring in Harris or Bancroft but that’s for Konstas.
“What do you do about Khawaja? Do you need a completely new opening partnership?”
