Khawaja not a fan of the “strike rate” hoopla in Test cricket that there has to be someone scoring quickly at the top of the order.
Khawaja has brushed aside the perceived need for quick top-order Test runs as a “myth” in endorsing new Australian opening partner Nathan McSweeney.
Next Friday, the 25-year-old will make his Test debut against India in Perth. Given that he bats at No. 3 for his state, McSweeney, the South Australian captain and a former teammate of Khawaja’s from Queensland, will be in uncharted territory. Following a brief audition to replace the departed David Warner last summer, Steven Smith will return to his chosen No. 4.
The more measured McSweeney’s strike rate is 41.92 in 34 first-class games, whereas Warner’s strike rate is 70.76 in 143 first-class games. Although Khawaja scores a little faster than McSweeney, he dismissed the idea that a lesser scoring rate against the new ball would ruin Australia’s Test chances.
“I don’t know where this myth started that you need someone to score really fast to do well,” Khawaja said on Wednesday. “You’ve got five days to do it…I don’t know why you need to score fast.
“Opening’s as much about scoring runs as it is about being able to absorb. Davey was special; he could score runs while absorbing but he didn’t do it [score fast] every time. He was consistent; out there and setting a platform, and Nathan does that very well.”
Once an offspinning No. 6, McSweeney had not yet established himself at Queensland when he moved to Adelaide in 2021 in search of what he believed would be more opportunities. Since then, he has thrived and enjoyed the role of captain. Khawaja joked that getting a haircut to get rid of his “boofy curls” had also aided him.
McSweeney’s challenge of adjusting to the new position at the head of the list has been the focus of much commentary. However, Khawaja, a former No. 3 himself, advised him not to overthink things.
“There’s no guarantees in cricket…but he doesn’t have to do anything different,” Khawaja said. “Just repeat the process. He’s been able to handle the pressure at Shield level. When you look at his demeanour, the way he plays, you do kind of feel over a longer period of time he’ll be able to handle the scrutiny, the pressure of Test cricket.”