TEST hopeful Usman Khawaja will wake up this morning regretting a blown opportunity to further mess with the minds of the national selectors after falling yesterday to a delivery that he probably should have put away for four runs.
Khawaja, celebrating his 24th birthday, made a gritty start to reach 21 from 40 deliveries in the top-of-the-table Sheffield Shield clash between NSW and Queensland, but gave up his wicket when he missed a full toss on leg stump by opening bowler Chris Swan and was dismissed leg before wicket.
Khawaja, who has been a run machine in first-class cricket this season, scoring 520 runs at an average of 65 before yesterday, had looked in good touch at No.3. But his innings came to an end shortly before lunch, forcing the Blues to recover from 2-73. They achieved that, reaching 6-271 nearing stumps.
Khawaja missed his opportunity but another left-hander certainly took his, as Nic Maddinson pummelled the Queensland attack with a skilled performance to be unbeaten on 123. If the national selectors saw it fit to pick Phillip Hughes for Australia, you would imagine they'd be keeping an eye on this young opener, who looks to have a fine technique, which is matched by an equally measured temperament.
Queensland took the new ball with 13 overs remaining in the day and Nevill was dismissed by Swan for 69. Nevill hit six fours and two sixes.
Play resumes today with NSW bowlers Doug Bollinger and Nathan Hauritz keen to impress the selectors after their Test omission.
Mark Cameron was made 12th man, despite taking 11 wickets against Queensland earlier in the season. Nevertheless, Stuart Clark, Trent Copeland and left-arm orthodox spinner Stephen O'Keefe should offer good support.
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