With Focus On WTC Closing, Usman Khawaja Opts Out Of Should-Win Sheffield Shield Recreation

Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja has opted out of Queensland’s upcoming Sheffield Shield match in opposition to South Australia, the place a win would seal their spot within the remaining. Khawaja was not named in Queensland’s 14-man squad after the opener had flagged that he solely needed to play one of many two Shield matches that adopted his return from Sri Lanka. Queensland have introduced the squad for this week’s must-win Sheffield Shield match in opposition to South Australia in Adelaide, with skipper Marnus Labuschagne returning to the line-up, following Australia’s Champions Trophy marketing campaign, to switch Khawaja.

According to Yahoo Sport Australia, Khawaja’s choice to not play on this weekend’s Sheffield Shield conflict with South Australia is all the way down to the veteran batter wanting to remain recent for the World Test Championship (WTC) remaining in opposition to South Africa in June.

The 38-year-old is ready for an enormous yr of Test matches, together with the WTC remaining in June, a tour of the West Indies in July and a house Ashes collection subsequent summer season.

Khawaja has been in good type of late and made 127 and 33 not out within the Bulls’ nine-wicket win over Tasmania final week. He additionally made an excellent double century in Sri Lanka final month and was shaping as an enormous increase to the Queensland crew amid their push for the Shield title.

Queensland’s conflict with SA will get underway on Saturday, with the squad travelling to Adelaide early to get an additional day of coaching after coaching services in Brisbane had been unavailable resulting from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Queensland are coming off a nine-wicket win over Tasmania final week that featured Khawanja’s century and an eight-wicket match haul by tempo spearhead Michael Neser.

Queensland squad vs South Australia: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Jackson Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Jack Wildermuth.

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