Usman Khawaja has gained the inaugural Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year award following an excellent 12 months in Australian whites.
And he delivered a quintessentially Khawaja acceptance speech.
Since returning to the Test facet in January final yr, Khawaja has been Australia’s main run-scorer within the five-day format, accumulating 1020 runs at 78.46 through the voting interval.
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He capped off the voting interval with an unbeaten 195 through the rain-affected New Year’s Test in opposition to South Africa on the SCG – his third consecutive Test century on the venue.
Last week, Khawaja was named within the ICC Test Team of the Year alongside Australian teammates Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne.
During his acceptance speech, Khawaja thanked Travis Head for making method from the Australian crew – attributable to Covid – halfway by means of final summer season’s Ashes sequence, which in the end gave Khawaja one other alternative at Test stage – a chance he’s grasped forcefully.
“I honestly thought that game at the SCG … I always thought it could be my last game. I was playing it as my last game,” Khawaja stated.
“It’s funny when you play with that kind of mindset how things can actually work out. I was just worried about getting off the mark and doing the process right and trying to win the game for the team. Life’s very funny at times.”
The Queenslander was unstoppable in Pakistan, his nation of delivery, registering scores of 97, 160, 44 not out, 92 and 104 not out through the historic tour.
“What we did as a team going to Pakistan … I mean, New Zealand had an opportunity to go, they didn’t go. England had an opportunity to go, they didn’t go,” he stated.
“All the way from CA up to the top, up to Pat (Cummins), all the players – it was a sacrifice at some level because the families … it was uncertain. We hadn’t been back there for so long, so for a lot of people they don’t see behind the scenes it’s a tough decision to make. Credit to everyone who went.
“Obviously I was born in Pakistan. I know what it means to Pakistan cricket. I know what it means to Pakistan. I know what it means to my dad because I grew up and I saw what the passion he had for cricket and supporting Pakistan and now Australia. For the guys to do that, I think speaks volumes for the team and where we’re headed.”
Khawaja was then requested to say a number of thanks’s, which prompted a cheeky self-plug.
“I’ll just start by saying congrats to everyone on the team. I think there’s been outstanding performances – Marnus, Smudger, Patty always, Gaz the amount of wickets you’ve taken this year is unbelievable. I was just a little bit better I think … I’m just joking guys, I had to get it out there,” he stated with fun.
Khawaja then turned his consideration to his household and delivered touching tributes.
“For my wife, Rachel – you are the rock. You know how much I love you,” he stated.
“When I got dropped in 2019, you gave me unconditional love. I’m getting emotional thinking about a very tough time in my life. You loved me when I was playing for Australia, you loved me when I was playing for Queensland, even when I was a ‘clubbie’ playing for ‘Valleys’ you gave me unconditional love.
“You love Usman Khawaja the person, not Usman Khawaja the cricketer – and for that, I’m truly indebted to you. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.
“I’ll just give a quick mention to my daughters, Aisha and Ayla. They won’t understand what’s going on right now, but I’m sure at some level at some time in life, they’ll be like ‘you should’ve thanked us’. Feisty girls, those ones.
“Aisha I love you so much. You bring so much happiness to my life, something I could never ever explained. You mean the world to me. Ayla, you’re only eight months old, you’re attached to your mum right now, the most I get is ‘ba ba ba’ from you – but that ‘ba ba ba’ melts my heart and I love you too very much.
“To my mum, I’m sure you probably would have seen her in the stands. She’s the lady with the scarf who’s always panicking every single match I play. She still thinks it’s my first Test match – Mum I’ve played 50 Test matches, I’m 36 years old, relax! Enjoy the game please. I love you so much. I’m hoping the next little bit of the journey you can enjoy.
“To my dad, who’s an absolute cricket tragic. You made the biggest sacrifice of all for us kids. We lived a very good life in Pakistan, we were comfortable. But you moved, you decided to take a leap – without a job, without anything – for us children to have a better life. For that I will always be indebted and for that I will always thank you for allowing me to be in Australia and representing the Australian cricket team. Who knows if you never moved, I might have been at the PCB awards right now getting an award … probably for best all-rounder because my offies would’ve been devastating out there!”
As Khawaja was thanking his teammates, Marnus Labuschagne screamed out from his seat and appeared to present Khawaja the wind-up.
“This is my time. When The People’s Champ’s talking, don’t rush The People’s Champ, alright?” Khawaja stated.
He then thanked cricket followers – as a result of “The People’s Champ has to thank the fans”.
“The love I’ve gotten over the last year, I could never ever imagined getting that kind of love,” he stated.
“I finally feel like not only my teammates, but Australia as a country and as a cricketing organisation is finally respecting me as the person, the beliefs I have. I love where we’ve been and where we’re going. I love where we’ve come over the last 10 to 15 years and hopefully over the next 10 to 15 years we can be even further.
“Thank you.”
Khawaja earlier within the evening additionally gained the Community Impact Award for his work off the sector. The Australian opener’s Usman Khawaja Foundation helps younger individuals from deprived communities by offering academic and cricketing alternatives.
Shane Warne Test Player of the Year
2000 – Glenn McGrath
2001 – Colin Miller
2002 – Matthew Hayden
2003 – Ricky Ponting
2004 – Ricky Ponting
2005 – Damien Martyn
2006 – Shane Warne
2007 – Ricky Ponting
2008 – Brett lee
2009 – Michael Clarke
2010 – Simon Katich
2011 – Shane Watson
2012 – Michael Clarke
2013 – Michael Clarke
2014 – Michael Clarke
2015 – Steve Smith
2016 – David Warner
2017 – Mitchell Starc
2018 – Steve Smith
2019 – Nathan Lyon
2020 – Marnus Labuschagne
2021 – Pat Cummins
2022 – Travis Head
2023 – Usman Khawaja
Originally revealed as Usman Khawaja wins inaugural Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year award
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
