- June 25, 2025
Being sent back from the Test side can feel like a gut punch – just ask Usman Khawaja. The long-serving opener, who has passed in and out of Australia’s Test squad more times than most of us care to count, has been there and done that. So, when Marnus Labuschagne – formerly a regular in the Test squad – was dropped for the first Test against West Indies, it would be Khawaja who came in to settle the ship with a steady voice and a kind heart.
The Khawaja Way: Focus on What You Can Control
When you’ve felt as many squad lists as Khawaja has — names with, names without — you develop some resilience. So, when Marnus received the call, Khawaja did exactly what a good mate would do: he sent him some love, perspective, and a gentle reminder, “Focus on the controllables. Let go of what you can’t control,” Khawaja told Marnus, “if you are a good enough player to play for Australia, you will play for Australia”. Simple, but profound.
This is not fluff. It’s the type of mental framing that separates the players who bounce back compared to the players who go down spirals. Your mind is your anchor. For someone like Marnus, who has played 53 Tests in a row, that is no easy feat, but it is necessary.
What makes Khawaja’s advice a weight is not just that he’s older, it’s that he’s lived it. His Test career was a chaotic mess of selection mishaps and second chances. And as a result, he is considered to be one of the most quietly respected figures in the Aussie dressing room.
Batting Buddies in the Making: Khawaja & Konstas Go Again
With Marnus gone and Steve Smith recovering from a dislocated finger, Khawaja finds himself partnered with teenage sensation Sam Konstas once again. Their three Test assessments together – and while there is still a lot to learn about each other, Khawaja is already enjoying the ride.
However, it’s not only a fun adventure. Khawaja regards helping Konstas as a responsible role — imparting the mental wisdom that no textbook or YouTube highlights reel could teach. Pressure, patience, and recovering from disappointment – the characteristics that scores do not capture, but which determine a Test career.
Starting with someone new is never easy – Khawaja noted that it takes time to build a rapport. You have to know when your partner is trying to sneak a single or if he’s premeditating a big drive. Khawaja felt that rhythm with David Warner. Now, he hopes to build it with “young Sammy.”
West Indies, New Wickets, Familiar Fire
Australia’s Test series in the Caribbean is new ground for Khawaja, who has never played a red-ball match before there. But he isn’t losing his focus. He is already planning for the Duke’s balls, and the bouncy, and sometimes unreliable, wickets.
Having played the West Indies at home in recent seasons, there is a degree of familiarity with the opponent. The context is new. The Aussie top order is transitioning new young breed coming through, and a quiet leader is taking charge.
Whether it is having breakfast with Konstas or supporting Marnus to find his way, Khawaja is more than a dependable opener. He is the connective tissue between generations – a mentor for one prodigy and an advocate for a fallen star.
Usman Khawaja is making a career. He is passing his wisdom to Labuschagne, a simple phrase, but hard-earned wisdom: cricket is hard; your mindset is harder. Cricket fans, my question to you is, in the modern game, what’s more important? Natural talent? Or mental toughness? And who should we blood as the next Aussie opener for the long haul? Let’s humanely talk cricket.
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