Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Man City’s Haaland is on pace to surpass Messi and Ronaldo’s best seasons But is that good
    • Germany should ‘get power to shoot down drones’, official says – as Vladimir Putin denies involvement in airspace violations
    • An ugly Asia Cup rivalry showed how politics now eclipses the cricket it feeds upon
    • I found Dwayne Johnson’s acting chops hard to resist.
    • Alonso tops FP1 from Leclerc, Albon sidelined by brake fire
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - Cricket - “It’ll probably improve his performance” – Labuschagne backs Khawaja to fire in final
    Cricket Updated:March 26, 2025

    “It’ll probably improve his performance” – Labuschagne backs Khawaja to fire in final

    By WTX Sports Team4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    “It’ll probably improve his performance” – Labuschagne backs Khawaja to fire in final

    Cliff Notes – “It’ll probably improve his performance” – Labuschagne backs Khawaja to fire in final

    • Marnus Labuschagne has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play in the Sheffield Shield final, asserting that recent controversies will not distract him but may enhance his performance.
    • Khawaja faced criticism for missing a match due to alleged injury issues, which he vehemently denied, expressing disappointment over the accusations.
    • Queensland will need to adjust their lineup to accommodate Khawaja’s return, with Labuschagne optimistic about their chances despite recent challenges in taking wickets.

    ‘It’ll probably improve his performance’ – Labuschagne backs Khawaja to fire in final

    Captain Marnus Labuschagne has confirmed that Usman Khawaja will play for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final and believes last week’s public spat will high performance manager Joe Dawes will “improve his performance” rather than distract him.

    Khawaja, 38, has been the subject of an unusual media drama in the lead-up to the final after missing the last match of the regular season against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval.

    Editor’s Picks

    Dawes spoke last Wednesday claiming Khawaja did not have any hamstring issues that they were aware of and said, “it’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to.”

    Queensland Cricket board member Ian Healy had also made strong comments on his SEN radio show saying, “It’s just this pick and choose mentality that has been evident in his later years that Queensland haven’t been happy with.”

    Khawaja fired back in an emotional and lengthy press conference, saying the accusations of him not having an injury were “categorically untrue” and that he was disappointed and disheartened by claims that he didn’t want to play for Queensland despite spending five days in Melbourne at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix while the Shield game was going on.

    Labuschagne confirmed that Khawaja would definitely play in the final at Karen Rolton Oval on Wednesday and was confident that Australia’s Test opener wouldn’t be distracted after a turbulent week.

    “No, not at all,” Labuschagne said at the captains’ pre-game press conference. “If anything, it’ll probably improve his performance. He just loves the big moments. He’s been an amazing player for a long time, so I don’t think he’s going to have any issues with going out there and performing at his best.”

    Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne and South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney pose with the Sheffield Shield trophy Getty Images

    South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney, who was Khawaja’s opening partner for the first three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series and is a former Queensland team-mate, said he had spoken to Khawaja in the lead-up to the final and expected him to perform well.

    “He wanted to see if he could get a tee time at Kooyonga,” McSweeney said. “So I did send him a cheeky text. But he’s all good. “He’s a professional player, has been for a long time now, and I think he’ll be definitely ready here tomorrow, and he’ll be a massive wicket for us.”

    Queensland’s staff put together a video of former Shield winning players sending their well wishes to the current team, which the squad watched on the big screen at Karen Rolton Oval before training on Tuesday.

    Labuschagne would not confirm Queensland’s final XI, but they will need to make at least one change from the side that drew with South Australia to accommodate Khawaja’s return. The concern for Queensland will be trying to take 20 wickets after claiming just 12 in four days last week, with Labuschagne taking four of them with his part-time medium pace.

    “The wicket is probably not as hard as it was for last week’s game here,” he said. “I think there’s probably a little bit more moisture in it. The grass is probably a fraction longer. But obviously [curator] Trent [Kelly] hasn’t cut it yet, so we’ll have to wait and see whether that gets cut in the morning.

    “I think, all in all, last week would have been a really good cricket wicket for a five-day game. South Australia had us in a position where if they really wanted to try and win the game, they probably could have pushed down that route.

    “Even last week, on that wicket that was quite flat, there could have been a result. So I don’t think there’s going to be any problem with trying to get a result this game.”

    South Australia squad:

    Nathan McSweeney (capt), Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Conor McInerney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton

    Queensland squad:

    Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Usman Khawaja, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Jack Wildermuth

    Australian cricket team Marnus Labuschagne Melbourne Sports featured Usman Khawaja
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleChancellor Rachel Reeves expected to announce further welfare cuts in spring statement
    Next Article Prince Harry in shock as he quits Sentebale charity set up in honour of Princess Diana
    WTX Sports Team

    The Sports Team is responsible for delivering your Sports Brief. Weekly roundup to cover all things Football, Cricket, Tennis Formula 1, Boxing and Olympics and more.

    Related Posts

    Jamieson: ‘Screws and wire doesn’t make you bulletproof’
    Cricket

    Jamieson: ‘Screws and wire doesn’t make you bulletproof’

    R Ashwin to play entire season of BBL with Sydney Thunder
    Cricket

    R Ashwin to play entire season of BBL with Sydney Thunder

    Heather Knight: Hamstrung no longer after slow road to recovery
    Cricket

    Heather Knight: Hamstrung no longer after slow road to recovery

    Sheffield Shield preview: Ashes selection race adds intrigue
    Cricket

    Sheffield Shield preview: Ashes selection race adds intrigue

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    Germany should ‘get power to shoot down drones’, official says – as Vladimir Putin denies involvement in airspace violations

    Germany should ‘get power to shoot down drones’, official says – as Vladimir Putin denies involvement in airspace violations

    Two men killed in synagogue terror attack named as police admit tragic mistake

    Two men killed in synagogue terror attack named as police admit tragic mistake

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Man City’s Haaland is on pace to surpass Messi and Ronaldo’s best seasons But is that good October 3, 2025
    • Germany should ‘get power to shoot down drones’, official says – as Vladimir Putin denies involvement in airspace violations October 3, 2025
    • An ugly Asia Cup rivalry showed how politics now eclipses the cricket it feeds upon October 3, 2025
    • I found Dwayne Johnson’s acting chops hard to resist. October 3, 2025
    • Alonso tops FP1 from Leclerc, Albon sidelined by brake fire October 3, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.