Khawaja’s Triumph as ICC Test Cricketer of the Year
Usman Khawaja emerged victorious in the competition against tough contenders such as teammate Travis Head, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, and England’s Joe Root. This achievement came after a successful year for Australia, culminating in their first ICC World Test Championship title.
Starting Strong in 2023
In the opening of 2023, Khawaja showcased splendid form, building on the momentum from the previous year by achieving a career-best score of 195* against South Africa.
Standout Performances
In the crucial away series against India, Khawaja proved his mettle as the top run-scorer among both teams, accumulating 333 runs in four matches, including a century and two fifties.
Bouncing Back in the Ashes
Despite rare setbacks in the World Test Championship Final, Khawaja rebounded impressively in the Ashes against England. Once again, he finished as the highest run-scorer in the series with an impressive 496 runs.
Closing Strong Against Pakistan
Ending the year on a high note, Khawaja secured three scores of 40+ against Pakistan, contributing to his grand total of 1210 runs for the challenging and rewarding year of 2023.
Crucial Contributions in the Ashes
Khawaja’s pivotal moments included crucial partnerships in the Ashes against England. Facing a surprise declaration and early pressure from England, Khawaja, along with Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Alex Carey, contributed significantly to Australia’s success.
Resilience Against England’s Target
In the face of England’s target of 281 for the win, Khawaja once again displayed grit and determination, scoring 65 off 197 balls. Although his departure left Australia at 209/7, Pat Cummins’ outstanding batting performance secured a memorable Ashes victory.
Player of the Match Honors
Khawaja’s exceptional contributions, including a century and fifty in the second innings, earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
