Now comes the hard part for Khawaja
Angst was written on Usman Khawaja's dejected face when he despondently trudged off the hallowed Lords turf.
Back from the Test wilderness, Khawaja inexplicably holed out after plodding down the crease at Graeme Swann to leave Australia lurching at 4-69.
It was the not the shot befitting a batsman fighting for his Baggygreen after being in exile for nearly two years. In fact, it was the type of dismissal that can lead to further banishment. Remember Damien Martyn being made the scapegoat for a sloppy dismissal that triggered an Australian collapse during a low run chase against South Africa in 1994? Martyn would not play Test cricket for the rest of the decade.
Luckily for Khawaja, Australia's dearth of batsmen meant a similar cruel fate akin to Martyn was unlikely. More importantly, he had a chance at redemption in the second dig. Australia was the walking dead when faced with the impossibility of batting nearly two days to salvage a draw. Predictably, three wickets fell cheaply. Australia was on the verge of another implosion.
During a few hours of respite, Khawaja, along with his captain Michael Clarke, resisted the guile of England's accurate pace trio and Swann's savage spin. It was a rare Australian top order partnership, albeit too late to save the sinking ship. It was tough watching Khawaja initially. Truthfully, it was downright ugly. Swann was anticipating a wicket with every delivery. As was everyone watching Khawaja's tangled and befuddled batting against spin. The wicket was not forthcoming as Khawaja defied the inevitable. After his initial woes, Khawaja's confidence started to blossom and gradually he morphed into an elite batsman comfortable at the highest level.
Of course, the partnership wouldn't last. Second Test hero Joe Root snared Clarke to snuff out any hopes of a miraculous Australian escape. Moments later, Khawaja too would fall to Root's golden arm. Khawaja departed disappointed but not in despair this time. His dogged 54 from 133 balls ensures a position in Australia's fragile line-up is probably guaranteed for the series. Now comes the hard part for Khawaja. He has a golden opportunity to cement a position with consistent performances. But, like most of his teammates, a number of questions remain unanswered.
Does he have the class and range of strokes to succeed at Test level? Can he cope against spinners? Is he really a number three? Does he have the desire to succeed?
It is perhaps the last query that intrigues. Chairman of selectors John Inverarity previously criticised Khawaja for a lack of work ethic, suspect fielding and nonchalant behaviour. The critique had kept him in Test oblivion since November 2011. During a Sheffield Shield season where ball blitzed bat, Khawaja performed solidly in his inaugural season with Queensland under the guidance of Darren Lehmann. Positions were ripe for the taking due to the retirements of Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting. Unfortunately, Khawaja grasp the opportunity after being engulfed in the homework scandal that plagued Australia's nightmare tour of India.
More time on the sidelines followed. But the shock installation of Lehmann as national coach may have rejuvenated Khawaja. It seems apparent that Lehmann will back Khawaja, who didn't appear to endear himself to Mickey Arthur.
Australia's batting has copped the wrath of the cricket community recently. Clarke aside, all positions are up in the air. The team desperately needs to start filling the blanks. The number three position has become a scourge since Ponting's batting started to deteriorate in 2010. Since Shaun Marsh scored a debut century against Sri Lanka two years ago, no Australian number three has raised his bat in triple digit triumph. Phil Hughes has had slight success and his innate counter-attacking skills make him the most likely to succeed in the demanding position. But too often he can't survive the new ball and has become a slip fielder's dream.
Khawaja boasts a solid technique and a good temperament. He does not get flustered or ruffled. I mark his abominable first innings shot down to a brain fade and perhaps being too keen to demonstrate intent - a trait he had been severely criticised for possessing a lack of. I was a Khawaja converter when he scored a fluent 65 (his highest Test score) during Australia's successful 310 chase in South Africa in 2011 - the team's best Test win this decade.
Despite a couple of wasted years since, Khawaja remains Australia's most equipped batsman to nail down the coveted number three position. But the time has arrived for Khawaja to start ironing his game. He needs to show more intent. He needs to continually work on rotating the strike with clever singles. Improving his running between the wickets is essential. I always find myself feeling surprised at his age. He has the feel of a younger player. Khawaja turns 27 later this year. He's certainly not a geriatric, heck there are still calls for a Simon Katich return.
But it's troubling his game is continually plagued by blemishes that appear more due to laziness or lack of concentration than for any serious flaw.
Simply, Khawaja needs to start occupying the crease and notching big scores. Eight times out of 11 completed innings, Khawaja has passed 20. He's able to grind out the new ball but can't materialise. Part of the problem is his susceptibility against the spinning ball. Too often he's mired in mediocrity against turn. Instead of fearing the dangerous Swann, Khawaja should be relishing the opportunity to hone his credentials against one of the best in the business.
When Khawaja walked out to the crease during his Test debut against England in January 2011, the SCG crowd gave him a raucous ovation. Born in Pakistan, Khawaja came to Australia with his parents as a boy. As the first Muslim to represent Australia in cricket, Khawaja was a feel good story in a country that at times struggles with its multi-cultural identity.
Australian cricket has historically been homogenous, highlighted by the fact that no full-blood Indigenous Australian has ever played international cricket. The Australian cricket team has never been a mirror to its populace. But times are changing. Khawaja has broken the multicultural barrier as Australia's first Asian cricketer and importantly helped shift cricket away from its traditional white power base.
Khawaja will be forever remembered for this.
It's now time for him to carve out a legacy with the bat.
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