Khawaja has 'gone backwards': Warne

Shane Warne says Australia No.3 Usman Khawaja has "gone backwards" since his breakthrough summer two years ago and needs better match-awareness after his 65-ball innings of 17 on the opening day of the fourth Magellan Ashes Test.

Khawaja has posted two half-centuries from five innings in this series but hasn't been at is normal fluent best in Australian conditions.

He laboured on Boxing Day, scoring from just four of his first 47 deliveries (one two and three singles) before hitting his first boundary. He was eventually dismissed when he nicked behind off the bowling of Stuart Broad.

Warne says Khawaja has "got all the talent in the world", but needs to show more energy and intent in the crucial No.3 position.

"He sort of got stuck down there," Warne told Wide World of Sports.

"He has had a good career. At times there he's made some wonderful hundreds, but the downside to him is I think he lacks a bit of intensity, lacks a bit of energy, and he's not busy enough. 

"We know he's got the talent, it's more his body language and his intensity when he comes to the crease. Have a presence, he's lacking that at the moment.

"Maybe it's just his form his down, but for me he's lacking some serious presence as a No.3.

"We know he's a good player but this is not good enough. He needs to be better than that.

"He can't just stand there, block the ball and not have anything else happening. For me he's got to be a bit more busy."

After a stop-start beginning to his career where he came in and out of the side, Khawaja had a breakthrough home summer two years ago when he scored four centuries in just six Tests in Australia and New Zealand.

He also posted a superb 145 against South Africa last season and 97 against Pakistan in the corresponding Test last year.

But having been out of the side for most of Australia's Test year in Asia in 2017, Warne feels Khawaja hasn't built on his performances of two years ago.

"We all thought 'here we go we've got a No.3 who's going to be consistent, he can take the game away from the opposition and allow Steve Smith and the middle order a lot more protection’," Warne said of Khawaja's 2015-16 campaign.

"But I think he's gone backwards a little bit. To me it's all about his intensity more than anything else.

"He's a good player, I think he's got all the talent in the world, but he does need to improve. We've seen him over the years play some great innings but unfortunately he just hasn't done it often enough."

Khawaja played just one of Australia's six Tests in Asia this year as selectors opted against him on spinning pitches, despite his strong home record.

Former Test Mike Hussey said the 'horses for courses' approach regarding Khawaja needs to change and selectors have to either back their left-hander in all conditions or discard him.

"I’m sure there’s a bit of anxiety in Usman’s mind,” Hussey told Fox Sports.

"This has to go one of two ways. If they think he’s the man and they back him, then just pick him all the time as Australia’s No. 3 batsman, no matter where they are playing.

"If they don’t, then maybe it’s time to look somewhere else."

Khawaja will have a chance to respond in the second innings of this Test as well as the New Year's clash in Sydney, which comes before a four-Test Test series in South Africa in March.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), 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 MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

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

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