We’ve learnt from our past mistakes in Sri Lanka: Khawaja

Australia’s struggle against spin is a known secret and the last time they played Sri Lanka away from home, they were steamrolled by some quality spin-bowling. However, since then, a lot has changed in Australian cricket, under the leadership of Pat Cummins. 

Usman Khawaja, who made a comeback during the home Ashes series, is an integral part of the revolution. The left-handed opener stitched an invaluable partnership at the top of the order alongside David Warner. In Australia’s historic win in Pakistan, Khawaja played a vital role, scoring two centuries and putting up scores of 97 and 91 in the other two. 

"We proved to ourselves in Pakistan that we had the game plan to do well in the subcontinent. This is one of the better teams of playing spin that I've been a part of with the Australian cricket team. I think we've learned from past mistakes, and the young guys coming in are learning from the older guys' mistakes,” Khawaja told Cricket.com.au.

"Especially in the subcontinent, because things can get tough and change really quickly here. Last time (in Sri Lanka), we probably didn't do it well enough. We probably second guessed ourselves a bit too much,” he added.

The left-hander also stated that ‘sticking with a player’ through the failures and success – is the right way to go forward in Australian cricket. 

"I think the big thing is to give players experience and to understand that when they're young, they're going to fail a little bit. (But) if you really think that they are the best players, you need to stick with them,” Khawaja emphasised. 

“Because when they come back next time and the time after that, that's when they're going to start rewarding you. We haven't been great at that in previous 10-15 years, the Australian cricket team, especially in terms of selection, how we've done it."

On a personal note, the left-hander noted that his range of shots against spin has improved massively, including using his footwork more proactively. 

"I just have a lot more shots now to spin than I did back then," Khawaja said. "I use my crease better, I score [in] different parts of the ground. It's just about trying to make the best decisions now. A bit of luck is involved too. But if I can do that for long enough, I give myself the best chances to be successful."