The left-hander has recovered well from knee surgery and looks almost certain to play for Australia against India in the first Test in Adelaide
Khawaja fitness boost for Australia
In a boost for Australia's batting stocks, Usman Khawaja appears almost certain to play in next month's first Domain Test against India in Adelaide.
The 31-year-old batsman's recovery from a knee injury has progressed to the point where he'll face bowling later this week in the nets.
Khawaja hasn't played since undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus suffered during Australia's Test series against Pakistan in October in the UAE.
The move into the nets to face full paced bowling is the latest progression in his recovery after he faced throw downs last week, as was quickly back running following his surgery, posting video to his social media accounts.
Khawaja's penultimate Test innings was a monumental 141, which lifted Australia to a remarkable draw against Pakistan in Dubai, before scoring three in the first innings in Abu Dhabi.
In his absence, Australia's batsmen have been underwhelming, both in the second Test in Abu Dhabi and then on home soil in three one-day internationals and Saturday's rain-marred Twenty20 against South Africa.
"It's going pretty well so far, just over two weeks, ran at 100 per cent yesterday on the treadmill, hopefully run outside tomorrow, so progressing well so far," Khawaja said last week about his recovery.
It's understood he'll then eye off Queensland's JLT Sheffield Shield match with Victoria from November 27 in Brisbane or a Futures League match to prove his fitness for the opening Test against India starting on December 6 in Adelaide.
Another option could see Khawaja line up for a Cricket Australia XI against India in a four-day tour match starting next Wednesday at the SCG that will be live streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app.
The match had been slated for three days, but was extended to four to aid preparation for the Test series.
In two Tests in Adelaide, Khawaja has scored one century and one 50 from four innings with an average of 54.50.
It would also be the Pakistan-born left-hander's first Test against India after he was an unused squad member for the duration of the previous meeting, in India in March 2017.
India Tour of Australia 2018-19
Gillette T20s v India
First T20: November 21, the Gabba
Second T20: November 23, MCG
Third T20: November 25, SCG
Domain Tests v India
First Test: December 6-10, Adelaide Oval
Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG
Gillette ODI Series v India
First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)
Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)
Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)