Australia skipper Tim Paine believes that Usman Khawaja should be fully fit in time for the first Ashes Test which begins on August 1st.
Speaking during the conclusion of Australia’s intra-squad clash in Southampton in which Khawaja was conspicuous by his absence, Paine said the southpaw is now 100% fit.
“He’s 100 per cent. He was running a little bit between the wickets, not at full intensity,” Paine was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“But Usman has been playing a lot of cricket, he has been over here for months.
“It wasn’t ideal he didn’t play in this game but I think he’s going to be fit and available for selection next week.”
Among the list of injury concerns is Mitchell Starc, who avoided bowling on Wednesday due to a sore knee but was back in action briefly for a spell on Thursday.
And with only two out of Starc, Pattinson and Hazlewood likely to be involved in the first Test, Paine spoke about the intent with which Pattinson bowled, hungry to make his first international appearance since 2016.
“Pattinson was outstanding again, he has been for the whole Australia A tour,” Paine said.
“But he took it up a gear in this game, particularly in that second innings. He’s starting to get really excited about what might be ahead of him in the next week or so.”
