TOP STORIES

“It doesn't come around very much”: Usman Khawaja after his ton against Sri Lanka

Thursday, 30-Jan-2025
News

Australia finished day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday in a dominant fashion after experienced batters Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith bludgeoned their centuries. Khawaja’s prestigious knock put an end to his poor run as this massive century from his bat came in almost two years. 

Following a disastrous campaign against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, falling for cheaper scores, Khawaja had attracted a lot criticism. However, he fired back at his critics by firing his 16th Test hundred, his first ton since the opening Ashes match against England in 2023. 

Calm and composed Khawaja repaid the faith selectors posed in him despite experiencing a lean patch. Khawaja thrived in spin conditions in Sri Lanka, and became the only second Australian batter after Alan Border to score centuries in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

“It's a contrast of two halves - my career in the subcontinent. There's pre-Dubai, post-Dubai. There were some low times - my wife Rachel was here with me [in 2016, when he'd been dropped mid-series in Sri Lanka], and we had so many of those tough times. No one ever sees that. Everyone sees the good stuff,” Khawaja said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“But you have to take the good stuff when you get it. It doesn't come around very much. We had one of the greatest players to play the game - Steven Smith - get to, what was that, 35 Test hundreds? As great as he is, he's only done it 35 times. That puts things into perspective,” he added.

Apart from Khawaja, Steve Smith also belted his Test hundred, registering his 35th Test century. The duo thrived on a successful start given by Travis Head, who scored a half-century. 

 

 

Tags

More News

News

Cameron Green reveals Bumrah’s message before back surgery

1 hr ago

Having been out of action for so many months due to back surgery, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is preparing for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa beginning June 11 at Lord’s. Cameron Green, who underwent back surgery in October last year, revealed a message from Indian bowling superstar Jasprit Bumrah on the e...


News

TNPL 2025: Chepauk Super Gillies confront Nellai Royal Kings

2 hrs ago

The 6th match of the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League will see Chepauk Super Gillies face Nellai Royal Kings on Monday at SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore. Chepauk Super Gillies are coming off a big win in their last game against IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans. RS Mokit Hariharan, Baba Aparajith and Vijay Shankar starred for Chepauk in their ...


News

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is engaged

3 hrs ago

The young Indian batting star Rinku Singh got engaged to Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj on Sunday in Lucknow. Rinku Singh took to his social media handle to announce the exciting news.

"This day has been in our hearts for so long - almost three years - and the wait was worth every second. Engaged - with full hearts and a forever to go".

Rinku, who ...


News

Heinrich Klassen opens up about his shock international retirement

3 hrs ago

South Africa’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, renowned for his power-hitting skills, has opened up about his sudden retirement from international cricket on June 2. Klaasen’s retirement came as a shock given his enormous contribution to South Africa’s success in the white-ball format. Moreover, Klaasen’s decision to retire came days after ...


News

Ponting endorses Gill’s appointment as Indian Test captain

1 day ago

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has lauded BCCI’s decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the new Test captain of the Indian team. Gill, 25, succeeded Rohit Sharma in the role and is ready to lead India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Gill will lead a new-look squad after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement ...