Australian left-handed opener Usman Khawaja has revealed that he encouraged captain Pat Cummins to declare the first innings of the Sydney Test at 475/4, even though it meant missing out on his first Test double hundred by just five runs. The move led to widespread criticism from cricket fans, but Khawaja explained that he wanted to put the team's needs above his own personal milestone.
"I could sort of feel it off Patty, you can sort of walk past and sense this awkward tension and I was like, 'Yeah, I know what he's thinking'. But it was alright, I actually made the effort, I went up to him and said, 'Mate, do whatever you need to, don't worry about me, you've got to try and win a Test match, we've all got to try and win a Test match'." Khawaja added that he wasn't concerned about individual achievements anymore, saying, "I love the team element (of playing cricket).
My favourite part of cricket is when you're in the changerooms with the boys and taking the mickey out of each other. I remember those moments more than anything else. Cricket is a sport of individuals but you are trying to win a game for your team and (there's no point) if you're not doing that. Up until I was about 25, I was very self-focused and I just wanted to get runs. Big things happened in my career and in my life and it just made me realise that the most important thing always is what the team needs from me. As a cricketer, individual milestones are awesome but if you're not winning cricket games and doing what's right for your team, you're probably not playing the game the right way."
Khawaja admitted that he had been hoping to get his double hundred on the third day of the Sydney Test, but four consecutive sessions were lost to rain. "The rain just kept cooking me. I really could have tried to get that 200 the night before if I really wanted to. But, obviously having no idea I thought, 'It's Day 2, I've got tomorrow, I could get 400 here if I'm good enough, you've got all day tomorrow'. I wasn't thinking about it at all but then it rained all day
In addition to discussing his decision to encourage Cummins to declare the first innings, Khawaja also talked about the impact of the rain on his chances of reaching a double hundred. "I really could have tried to get that 200 the night before if I really wanted to. But, obviously having no idea I thought, 'It's Day 2, I've got tomorrow, I could get 400 here if I'm good enough, you've got all day tomorrow'. I wasn't thinking about it at all but then it rained all day during Day 3, and I thought, 'That's not ideal'. Then I thought, 'Morning of Day 4, I'll get it then', but then on the morning of Day 4, it just started raining again. Then I was like, 'I know Pat wants to bowl and we want to win the Test match'. They were taking the covers off and there was a little muddy patch on the wicket and I'm like, 'Nothing's going my way here, if we don't start soon, I'm in trouble'. I could just read the room."
Despite the disappointment of missing out on his double hundred, Khawaja was still named Player of the Match for his 195, which he called "a bit of a weird feeling". He said, "I was really happy with how I played and how I was able to bat for so long and get us into a really good position, but it was a bit of a weird feeling when they said 'Player of the Match'. I was like, 'Well, I didn't get 200, but okay, I'll take it'. I'll take it with open arms. It's always nice to get recognised for your performances, especially when you feel like you've contributed to the team in a big way."
Looking ahead, Khawaja will now play for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) before embarking on a highly anticipated tour of India for four Tests, which begins from February 9 in Nagpur. He said, "I'm looking forward to it. It's always a good challenge going to India, it's a tough place to tour. The wickets are always quite challenging and it's hot and humid over there. But it's a great challenge, and I'm really looking forward to it."