Arthur backs Khawaja’s ‘solid technique’

Sydney: Australian coach Mickey Arthur is adamant that Usman Khawaja has the technique to succeed in Test cricket as the rookie batsman faces selection axe.

Viewed as the long-term successor to Ricky Ponting at No.3, Khawaja has struggled to stamp his authority in the Test arena so far, managing just 263 runs from six Tests with one 50. The 25-year-old is set to be retained for the Boxing Day Test against India, but with injured Shaun Marsh expected to be a certain starter for the New Year’s Test in Sydney, Khawaja is feeling the heat. Arthur, however, has been impressed by Khawaja’s attitude and believes he will be a Test match force with some adjustments to his game. “I think he’s a really good young player, he has a solid technique, defends really well. There’s one or two things we need to work on, but he has the potential to develop into something really good,” Arthur told the Herald Sun. ANI