Khawaja’s tale of overcoming adversity
David Riccio, writing in the Sunday Telegraph , tells the story of Usman Khawaja, who has been laughing in the face of adversity his whole life.
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
David Riccio, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, tells the story of Usman Khawaja, who has been laughing in the face of adversity his whole life.
Too poor to afford a ticket into the SCG to see his heroes blaze away each summer, Khawaja would wait all day outside the old iron gates before grabbing a priceless glimpse of the day's play. "My dad didn't have a lot of money so we didn't have the ability to go out and watch cricket games," he said."But what I would do is I would come at the end of the game, when they would open the gates for the final 10 overs.
"I would wait at the gates ... wait at the gates and then run as fast I could to get in and watch the final overs. I did that every single time they played a one-dayer or when I heard Steve or Mark Waugh was playing for New South Wales, I would rush over and go watch them.
Khawaja is one of a host of young players pushing for Australian selection, but David Sygall says in the Sun-Herald that you don’t always need new blood.
There has been a distinct lack of discussion about the considerable experienced talent that knows how to win and is ready, willing and able to take over from struggling incumbents.
In the Sunday Telegraph Will Swanton argues critics of Michael Clarke are mad.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo