hedHeOn Saturday, there were a lot of reactions on social media because Australia declared the innings with Usman Khawaja just 5 runs short of his first double-century. Australia had already won the series. The team had almost sealed its spot for the WTC final, too. Hence, many felt that Pat Cummins could have waited for a few more overs. However, there was a discussion between the skipper and Usman Khawaja before the declaration. Here, we take a look as Usman Khawaja reveals the discussion with Pat Cummins before the Aussie skipper declared with him at 195*.
The opener said that there was a plan for him to bat
The opener, who has been in fine form, said that initially, there was a plan to continue batting. However, with rain already causing an interruption in the game, it further halted the game. Hence, there had to be a change in the plans.
In fact, Usman said that he himself went to Pat Cummins and asked him to take the decision that would help Australia win the game. After the declaration, Australia took some early wickets.
Usman Khawaja reveals the chat with Pat Cummins
Speaking to Triple M Cricket, Khawaja said, “I knew obviously Patty wanted to bowl at some stage … before he even came up to me and talked to me, I could sort of read the sign. I honestly just went up to him and went: ‘Patty, whatever you need to do to win this Test match, just do it. I love playing for Australia and you know if I‘m not playing this game to win this game, it’d be wrong for me to ask to go out there for two or three overs and just do what you feel is right.”
The opener further added, “I got in first. I don’t want him to come to me. I just went: ‘Mate, you make the decision, take the emotion out of it and do what you need to do.’ He finished, saying he made the initiative to make sure I got up to him first.”
Declaring the innings when a batter is a few runs short of a 200
197* – Frank Worrell in 1960 (Captain: Gerry Alexander)
195* – Usman Khawaja in 2023 (Captain: Pat Cummins)
194* – Sachin Tendulkar in 2004 (Captain: Rahul Dravid)#AusvSA #AUSvsRSA #SAvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 7, 2023
