Darren Lehmann has backed the Queenslander Usman Khawaja

Darren Lehmann has backed the Queenslander Usman Khawaja to do well and establish himself in the Australian test team.

Khawaja has been recalled by the selectors for the Bangladesh series and it’s believed he will bat one down with Steven Smith getting slightly down the order to fill in the no. 4 position vacated by Michael Clarke.

Khawaja averages just a touch over 25 in the 9 test matches that he has featured in so far, but, those who follow his Cricket closely believes he is a much better player than that and Lehmann also has the same view about the stylish left hander.

In an interview to a sports website after returning from the Ashes tour, Lehmann said, “I am really excited to have the opportunity to mentor some of these youngsters coming in. They are all hugely talented and it would be immense fun to work alongside them and help them understand their game better and bring good results to the team.”

When asked if he would like to pick one name whom he is most keen to watch in the coming summer, the 45-year old said, “Usman is someone who has been really consistent playing first class and List ‘A’ Cricket for the past two seasons and this time around, he is going to have a slightly longer run in the top order than he has had in the past.”

“He is not the youngest in the group, but, that is no issue. We have seen some of the players making their debut in their early thirties and still going on to become one of the big names in World Cricket. I believe Usman has his peak years ahead of him and I would be really happy for him if he cements himself in the XI.”