Image courtesy of: dailytelegraph.com.au

Khawaja is looking to prove his critics wrong during the Ashes

The Ashes is known as the series to make or break men and Australia batsman Usman Khawaja is hoping to restart his Test career by regaining and securing a Test spot for himself through this year’s back-to-back series.

Khawaja, who made his debut almost 18 months ago, has only represented Australia in six Tests and is looking to increase that tally by performing well during the Ashes.

“I’ve done a lot of hard work to get where I am,” Khawaja told The Sydney Morning Herald. “All I can do is go out there and prove myself on the field.

“All we’re thinking about right now is getting those Ashes back. I know if I can contribute to that then I can get a bit more comfortable where I am in international cricket.”

Khawaja was one of the four players recently axed from a Test match against India after he, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Shane Watson failed to complete a homework assignment set by coach Mickey Arthur.

Speaking about the incident, Khawaja said: “I was disappointed, a bit frustrated, a bit angry, but I’m just grateful to be on this Ashes tour, I don’t think you can get to state level, or even playing for Australia for that fact, without working hard. I think it’s impossible.”

Some cricket pundits and former players have been given the impression that Khawaja is losing his interest in the national team after the incident, but the 26-year-old was quick to dismiss these claims.

“What’s going on on the exterior is not always what’s happening on the interior for me,” he said. I might look very calm or whatnot when I’m batting, but it’s funny because sometimes in my head things are happening a lot quicker than what’s happening on the outside.

“All I care about is my teammates and what captain Michael Clarke and the coach think and they’ve never said anything of that sort.”