Clarke backs Khawaja for Test recall

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has backed Usman Khawaja to reclaim his position at first drop for the opening Test of the summer.

Khawaja was dropped for third Test on the recent Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka after the left-hander managed scores of 26, 18, 11 and 0 in the first two matches of the 3-0 series loss.

The left-hander joined fellow Queenslander Joe Burns on the sidelines for the series’ final Test in Colombo, but coach Darren Lehmann said after the match both men would be considered for the first Test of the Australian summer on the back of their imperious record on home soil. 

Khawaja scored four Test centuries last summer – three in Australia and further ton across the Tasman against New Zealand – and Clarke believes that form will see the 29-year-old return to his favoured No.3 position for the first Test against the Proteas in Perth.

"I think they’ll pick Uzzie (Khawaja)," Clarke said on Saturday.

"I thought he had a magnificent summer in Australia.

"He’s extremely talented and a top fella as well, so he is a big part of their team.

"I think they probably didn’t pick him in Sri Lanka based on conditions, but knowing Uzzie I think he would have learnt a lot in Sri Lanka.

"He would have looked at his game, assessed strengths and weaknesses and he’ll be working hard to make sure next time he gets an opportunity to play in the subcontinent he’s ready.

"I think he’s extremely talented I think he showed the whole world that last summer and I think the selectors will start with him." 

The Australian batsmen will be looking forward to playing in familiar conditions this summer after they struggled to negotiate the dry, turning tracks in Sri Lanka and the hosts’ onslaught of spinners led by veteran Rangana Herath.

In stark contrast, this summer’s two touring Test nations – South Africa and Pakistan – boast powerful fast-bowling attacks, led by Dale Steyn and Mohammad Amir respectively.

Australia haven’t lost a Test match in their own backyard since November 2012, against the Proteas in Perth, but Khawaja warns the familiarity of home conditions won’t make it a cakewalk in 2016-17.

"I think it’s a lot easier to come back and play on wickets we’re used to playing on our whole life," Khawaja told cricket.com.au earlier this month when asked how difficult it is to transition back to playing on Australian pitches after competing in the subcontinent.

"But that’s not to say it’s not tough. It’s Test cricket, it’s tough work out there even in our own home conditions.

"It’s very tough to go out there if you’re there early doors as a batsman and the ball is swinging around a bit, you’re as likely to get out as you are coming in on a turning wicket in India or Sri Lanka or wherever it may be.

"It presents its own challenges and Test cricket is never easy, no matter where you’re playing." 

Khawaja is currently with Australia’s one-day international squad in South Africa on a month-long limited-overs tour which includes five matches against the Proteas and a sole ODI against Ireland.

With only one Sheffield Shield round – to be played with the pink ball - prior to the first Test at the WACA Ground on November 3, Khawaja and the other aspiring Australian batsmen will unlikely have any red-ball form to fall back on before the first Test squad of the summer is announced.