Think Khawaja would play the first Ashes Test Lehmann

Think Khawaja would play the first Ashes Test Lehmann

Darren Lehmann, the Australia head coach, backed Usman Khawaja to regain his spot in the side for the first Test against England in the Ashes 2017-18. Khawaja, who was recalled for the Bangladesh tour after missing out on the India tour earlier, failed in both the innings at Dhaka, and was promptly left out of the side for the Chittagong Test - naming Hilton Cartwright as his replacement - that Australia won by seven wickets to level the series.

"I would think Usman would play the first Test match," Lehmann was quoted as saying on Thursday (September 7) by cricket.com.au. "For the make-up of the side we changed it here, but we think he's a pretty special player and obviously he's got a really good record in Australia." Khawaja's record in the subcontinent is a cause of worry, having managed only 117 runs in five Tests in Asia, averaging just 14.62. But his record in Australia is hard to overlook; at home, the left-hander averages 77.50 having played 10 Tests, with four centuries.

While Khawaja's return is all but confirmed, the same can't be said for the likes of Matthew Wade, Cartwright or Glenn Maxwell. For the Chittagong Test, Australia had even considered dropping Wade for Peter Handscomb, the part-time wicketkeeper, to fill in, before choosing otherwise. Wade had copped criticism after the first Test for sloppy work behind the stumps, where he conceded as many as 22 byes, but had lifted his craft in the second Test - something which Lehmann lauded, but couldn't ignore his form with the bat. In the three innings in Bangladesh, Wade managed scores of 5, 4 and 8.

"We look at all scenarios. We look at the best XI that's going to perform for the game. So for us, it was the right call. Matthew was great this game. End of the day, we love having the best keeper all the time," said Lehmann.

What will help Australia decide upon their final XI ahead of the first Test in Brisbane will be the three Sheffield Shield rounds. Maxwell's century in Ranchi earlier this year, all but sees him retain the No. 6 spot, but he may lose out to the preference for a seam-bowling all-rounder, as seen in recent years. While the coach suggested that Maxwell will most likely retain that No. 6 spot, strong performances in the Shield competition could see others being brought into the mix.

"We'll certainly be looking at that position," Lehmann said. "Anyone can jump out of the pack in the three Shield games and (come into) what we think the best make-up is for that first Test. Glenn is there at the moment (but) like everyone else, he'll have to perform," he added.