CWC 2019: Six tournament debutants who can light up the World Cup

#2 Usman Khawaja

Classical shots abound from Khawaja

A late bloomer, Usman Khawaja has had quite a few stops and starts to his ODI career. But his form since the beginning of 2019, where he was again recalled to the ODI team on back of his stupendous Test form, has been nothing short of phenomenal. Playing 8 matches against India and 5 against Pakistan, Khawaja racked up 769 runs in those matches, with 2 centuries and 6 half-centuries.

His form was vital in Australia picking up away series wins in India and Pakistan and boosting their profile as a genuine World Cup contender. Australia were a team that could hardly buy a win in 2018, but Khawaja, along with the likes of Maxwell and Finch’s resurgence has slotted Australia back into familiar territory of World Cup contenders.

With Warner and Smith back into the team, and looking ominous, Khawaja’s brand of cricket would fit right into the system. From an afterthought to a certain in the playing XI, Khawaja’s journey has been nothing short of miraculous. Australia would be counting on this southpaw coming good on the biggest occasion of them all.