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Khawaja has booked his SA spot: Hussey

Usman Khawaja's sparkling century on day three at the SCG, which ended a 13-month drought, has secured his spot in the Test line-up, according to Mike Hussey

Australia first-drop Usman Khawaja secured himself a plane ticket to South Africa and proved he can play spin bowling with a brilliant century on day three of the fifth Magellan Ashes Test in Sydney, says Mike Hussey.

Khawaja was at his elegant best on his way to 171 from 381 balls, his longest first-class innings in terms of balls faced, to end a 13-month century drought in the Baggy Green.

The 31-year-old’s 162 runs at 27 in the series prior to the SCG Test had some questioning his long-term future in the team, but his sixth Test century locked down his spot, says Hussey.

Khawaja's brilliant maiden Ashes century reaches 171

“There’s been a little bit of criticism about him, should he be in the team or should he not, a bit of doubt about his place but he showed his class today and showed that he definitely deserves to be in this Australian team at No.3,” Hussey told cricket.com.au.

“It was a great innings, it really was. 

“He hasn’t had that bad a series. There’s been a couple of fifties along the way but he hasn’t been able to go on with it. 

“This will give him a lot of confidence, a nice way to finish the Test match summer and I have no doubt he will be on that plane to South Africa.”

Day wrap: Khawaja sets up Marshes run-fest

Khawaja started the day on 91 and found the nine runs he needed for Test century No.6 by the eighth over of the morning session.

He celebrated with a fist pump, salute to his friends, teammates and family and a look above to the brilliant blue sky, arms aloft while soaking in the standing ovation. 

It was his first century since November 2016 against South Africa in Adelaide, a day-night Test where he was bunted up to open after Proteas captain Faf du Plessis caught out David Warner with a surprise declaration.  

Khawaja's wait for an Ashes ton is over

In that match at Adelaide Oval, Khawaja had to deal with a pink ball on a green-tinged wicket, vastly different conditions to the ones he encountered on his old home turf of the SCG.

In Sydney he went about repairing his damaged reputation against spin bowling by taking down England’s tandem tweakers Moeen Ali and Mason Crane. 

"I’d love to be playing for Australia in every single Test match, any chance I get," Khawaja told reporters after play. 

"Obviously, it hasn’t gone that way over the last year but all I can do is go out there and try and score runs for my team and do well in the top order. 

"I like to be playing every single game but can’t look too far ahead either."

Summer of Smith continues with SCG fifty

Khawaja used his feet, played equally well off both front and back foot, and while it wasn’t the spin-friendly decks of Delhi and Dhaka, Hussey says it showed that the Queenslander can handle the turning ball.

“Very well, I thought, and he was challenged,” Hussey said when asked how he thought Khawaja played spin this Test. 

“Mason Crane bowled well to him and Moeen Ali got some spin there and showed a few of the doubters there he actually can play spin. 

“As long as everyone around him backs him in and shows a bit of love to him I’m sure he’ll continue to do so.”

Marsh Bros. masterclass our Play of the Day

Hussey believes Khawaja should remain at No.3 in the Test side irrespective of the various climates faced around the world. 

“I think he’s in our best six batsmen in Australia,” he said.

“As a player you want to be challenged on different conditions around the world. 

“That’s what the game is all about, that’s how you grow as a person, that’s how you grow as a player. 

“He’s had his challenges overseas in certain areas but the more opportunities you give him the better he’s going to get. 

“You show faith in guy like Usman Khawaja, who you know is a classy player, he’ll repay that faith in spades.”

Magnificent Marsh two away from Ashes century

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test Match drawn. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Scorecard

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21