Khawaja to beat BBL path to Boxing Day

Usman Khawaja may only have a pair of KFC Big Bash League games to prove his hamstring is ready for a Boxing Day Test return.

Khawaja tweaked his left hamstring in the field on day two of the second Commonwealth Bank Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

Scans confirmed a moderate strain, meaning he will miss next week's inaugural day-night Test and the first Test against the West Indies in Hobart.

Khawaja and Cricket Australia both believe the talented batsman, who scored tons against New Zealand at the Gabba and WACA, can return for the Boxing Day Test.

However, the lack of Sheffield Shield matches will make it tougher to gauge Khawaja's fitness in the lead-up to the MCG Test.

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The final round of Shield matches before Christmas will be played on December 6-9, ahead of the start of BBL|05 on December 17.

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As a result, Khawaja's competitive return will likely come in a Twenty20 fixture with the Sydney Thunder.

"We've got no Shield game so it probably does have to be Big Bash," Australia coach Darren Lehmann said at Perth airport on Wednesday.

The Thunder's two BBL games before Boxing Day are on December 17 and 20.

The hamstring injury is Khawaja's second of the season. He missed the start of Queensland's Matador BBQs One-Day Cup campaign in October after tweaking his hamstring in a grade cricket match.

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Lehmann made it clear he wants the 28-year-old to be match fit before he plays a Test.

"He's got to get fit and strong and faster first and make sure we don't have another injury," he said.

"He's had some injuries over the last 12-18 months, now he's got to get back to full fitness.

"We want him to play some cricket before he comes under selection (consideration) again."

Khawaja shapes as an automatic recall once he recovers, after posting centuries in each of the first two Tests against New Zealand.

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Captain Steve Smith will shift up to No.3 to fill Khawaja's spot while he recovers, with Shaun Marsh to slot in lower down the order for the third Test against the Black Caps in Adelaide.

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Marsh said he felt for Khawaja.

"It's obviously disappointing for Uzzy, getting injured," Marsh said.

"He's batted so well in the first two Tests.

"For me it's an opportunity and hopefully I can get out there and get some runs."