Khawaja has recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained in the second Test against New Zealand

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia have included Usman Khawaja in their squad for the Boxing Day Test against the West Indies in Melbourne.

Khawaja has been out of action ever since he suffered a hamstring injury on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand in Perth.

However, with Khawaja having made a full recovery, the selectors have now been given a major headache as Shaun Marsh has excelled in his absence, scoring a vital 49 in the third and final Test against New Zealand in Adelaide before making a career-best 182 in the first Test against the West Indies in Hobart.

Prior to his injury, Khawaja scored two centuries against New Zealand and the selectors now have a tough decision on which batsman to keep in the side. Alternatively, opening batsman Joe Burns has begun to falter after a terrific start to his Test career and Marsh could take his place and open the batting with David Warner.

“I’m sure it gives the selectors a few headaches but I think that’s a great thing,” Australia captain Steven Smith said. “I thought Shaun played beautifully throughout this Test match. Him and [Adam] Voges certainly changed the course of the game. It was 3 for 120 and the game was in the balance. Those guys put on a terrific partnership and set the game up for us.

“I’ve said that for a while now, I think he is best suited at five. He’s played some very good cricket at five. He did last summer as well. I was really impressed with the way he batted last week, he did well in tough conditions and tough circumstances, and again backing it up again this week with a big hundred. He’s batting really well.”