Big Bash League 2015-16: Usman Khawaja declared fit to play for Sydney Thunder

Usman Khawaja © Getty Images

Australia’s batsman Usman Khawaja is declared fit to play for Big Bash League (BBL) 2015-16 team Sydney Thunder’s next game at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) next Sunday. This will be Khawaja first match after his moderate strain in his left hamstring while chasing a ball at Perth Test against New Zealand. He was ruled out for the rest of series after he scored centuries in the first innings of the first two Tests of the series. Khawaja was selected in the squad for the next Test against West Indies in MCG. READ ALSO: Usman Khawaja will play 2nd Australia vs West Indies Test if fit: Mark Waugh

Australia will face a tough decision as his replacement, Shaun Marsh, scored 182 runs and had a record partnership with Adam Voges in the first at Hobart. As reported on espncricinfo.com, Australia coach Darren Lehmann is in a fix for the MCG Test and would be happy to if Khawaja returns to the team as an opening batsman, though this has to be discussed with Australia skipper Steven Smith. READ ALSO: BBL 2015-16: Michael Hussey-led Sydney Thunder seek redemption in opening
Lehmann said, “We will have to see if Uzzy (Usman Khawaja) is fit and then we will have a dilemma. If he is fit, having scored two hundreds in the two Test matches [against New Zealand] yes, you would think he would be in form to play. We need him playing. With a hamstring, we don’t want him playing Test match cricket if he is not fully fit. He will have to be sharp in the T20 games and then we will make a decision from there. If he comes back in someone will miss out. We have to work out that is. I would [be happy with Khawaja opening] but the captain might not want that. We have to work out the best six and the batting order from there.”