New South Wales captain Stuart Clark says his side is nurturing a potential long-term No.3 for Australia in a team brimming with young talent.
The Blues cruised to a 10-wicket outright win in the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, needing just six runs for victory in their second innings after posting 6-529 declared in their first knock and dismissing the Redbacks for 255 and 279.
But it was 23-year-old Usman Khawaja who anchored the Blues performance, his maiden double century an innings of emerging class that Clark suggested could see him become a permanent fixture at first drop in the Australia side.
"He's a super young player, he just bats with so much ease," Clark said.
"There's got to be a spot in the team first, but Usman will play for Australia.
New South Wales 6 for 529 dec and 0 for 6 beat South Australia 255 and 279 (Duval 87, Smith 63, O'Brien 57, O'Keefe 4-90, Clark 3-26) by 10 wickets
Player of the match UT Khawaja (New South Wales)
"Moises has hurt his groin. How bad it is no one is quite sure. We're hoping it's just a couple of weeks but those things can depend on the person."
After Usman Khawaja recorded his highest first class score of 214, Blues captain Clark has predicted the left-hander won't have to wait too long for a national team call up.
"I think he's a super young player," he said.
