Random Aussie
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2007
- Runs
- 28,699
http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/blues-breakthrough-muslim-opener/2008/02/11/1202578694948.html
Andrew Stevenson
February 12, 2008
CRICKET is a game of records and firsts. Now, little more than a month after the furious row about race and sportsmanship exploded at the Sydney Test match, one young Australian cricketer is ready to face the issue head-on as he embarks on his first-class career.
Usman Khawaja's primary focus will be on a solid start in his debut first-class match as he steps out onto the SCG to open the batting for NSW against Victoria. But, coming so close after the Sydney Test exposed the wide gulf between Australia and the sub-continent, Khawaja will also be flying the flag for a new generation of Australian cricketers.
Less than a handful of Australian first-class players have traced their origins to the sub-continent. Khawaja, born in Islamabad, Pakistan, arrived in Australia aged four and is believed to be the first Australian Muslim to play interstate cricket.
"(The first) local player, maybe. I think it is," said Khawaja. "I'm just too stoked to be in the team to even worry about it. I'm too happy."
Last year, Khawaja was captaining the Pakistan side in Sydney's annual Cricket Masala competition, a celebration of the many cultures who play the game.
On Friday he'll be playing in the top-of-the-table clash, which is likely to decide the host for the Pura Cup final.
In between time he's completed a Bachelor of Aviation at the University of NSW, allowing him to find work as a commercial pilot.
But instead of flying, Khawaja — just a month after he finished the course — has grounded himself. "I'm a fully qualified pilot now but I'm taking time off indefinitely," he said, having put sport on the backburner for the time it has taken to earn his degree.
"Finally cricket is No. 1. I've been waiting for quite a while to just play cricket, to concentrate on it. It's pretty much perfect timing; I've got nothing else on my mind," he said.
Not that his studies have been a complete distraction. Australian under-19 coach Brian McFadyen has had his eye on Khawaja for years.
"He impressed us with his ability to play off both the front and back feet," McFadyen said. "He won cricketer of the championship at the Australian under 19s in Perth and he was very impressive on the world stage."
In Sydney grade this summer Khawaja tops the batting figures, compiling 907 runs at 60.47 and he has been invited to the Australian Institute of Sport's Cricket Centre of Excellence this winter.
Khawaja describes himself as "very" ambitious in the game. "Cricket is almost like life to me. I play it every day, go to training and come home and watch it, muck around with it. I just love it."
Cricket historian Kersi Meher-Homji believes Khawaja is the first local Muslim to play at this level. Mark Lavender, a West Australian batsman of the 1990s was born in Chennai, India, while Dav Whatmore, born in Sri Lanka, played seven Tests for Australia.
"But I think this is a big breakthrough," said Meher-Homji.
Whether a breakthrough or not, Khawaja sees it more as part of the game. "It's always good to see a few new faces," he said. "More cultures will mean more people are playing and more people are going further with the sport. But you've got to reasonably expect that, because you're living in Australia, the majority will still be Anglo-Saxons. But a few new faces? It wouldn't hurt the game and I'm pretty sure everyone would be inviting."
Khawaja credits his father, Tariq, as the biggest influence on his career. "He's always loved the game and he was the one who kept pushing me. He always let me take time off school to play cricket when my mum was trying to get me to concentrate on my studies," he said.
Dad, of course, is pleased as punch. "He can set an example as to how a good citizen from any race or religion can achieve what he wants provided he's got the determination," said Tariq Khawaja."
Good luck to him - opening for NSW is a massive achievement, he will be partnering Phil Jacques from the Aussie Test team
Andrew Stevenson
February 12, 2008
CRICKET is a game of records and firsts. Now, little more than a month after the furious row about race and sportsmanship exploded at the Sydney Test match, one young Australian cricketer is ready to face the issue head-on as he embarks on his first-class career.
Usman Khawaja's primary focus will be on a solid start in his debut first-class match as he steps out onto the SCG to open the batting for NSW against Victoria. But, coming so close after the Sydney Test exposed the wide gulf between Australia and the sub-continent, Khawaja will also be flying the flag for a new generation of Australian cricketers.
Less than a handful of Australian first-class players have traced their origins to the sub-continent. Khawaja, born in Islamabad, Pakistan, arrived in Australia aged four and is believed to be the first Australian Muslim to play interstate cricket.
"(The first) local player, maybe. I think it is," said Khawaja. "I'm just too stoked to be in the team to even worry about it. I'm too happy."
Last year, Khawaja was captaining the Pakistan side in Sydney's annual Cricket Masala competition, a celebration of the many cultures who play the game.
On Friday he'll be playing in the top-of-the-table clash, which is likely to decide the host for the Pura Cup final.
In between time he's completed a Bachelor of Aviation at the University of NSW, allowing him to find work as a commercial pilot.
But instead of flying, Khawaja — just a month after he finished the course — has grounded himself. "I'm a fully qualified pilot now but I'm taking time off indefinitely," he said, having put sport on the backburner for the time it has taken to earn his degree.
"Finally cricket is No. 1. I've been waiting for quite a while to just play cricket, to concentrate on it. It's pretty much perfect timing; I've got nothing else on my mind," he said.
Not that his studies have been a complete distraction. Australian under-19 coach Brian McFadyen has had his eye on Khawaja for years.
"He impressed us with his ability to play off both the front and back feet," McFadyen said. "He won cricketer of the championship at the Australian under 19s in Perth and he was very impressive on the world stage."
In Sydney grade this summer Khawaja tops the batting figures, compiling 907 runs at 60.47 and he has been invited to the Australian Institute of Sport's Cricket Centre of Excellence this winter.
Khawaja describes himself as "very" ambitious in the game. "Cricket is almost like life to me. I play it every day, go to training and come home and watch it, muck around with it. I just love it."
Cricket historian Kersi Meher-Homji believes Khawaja is the first local Muslim to play at this level. Mark Lavender, a West Australian batsman of the 1990s was born in Chennai, India, while Dav Whatmore, born in Sri Lanka, played seven Tests for Australia.
"But I think this is a big breakthrough," said Meher-Homji.
Whether a breakthrough or not, Khawaja sees it more as part of the game. "It's always good to see a few new faces," he said. "More cultures will mean more people are playing and more people are going further with the sport. But you've got to reasonably expect that, because you're living in Australia, the majority will still be Anglo-Saxons. But a few new faces? It wouldn't hurt the game and I'm pretty sure everyone would be inviting."
Khawaja credits his father, Tariq, as the biggest influence on his career. "He's always loved the game and he was the one who kept pushing me. He always let me take time off school to play cricket when my mum was trying to get me to concentrate on my studies," he said.
Dad, of course, is pleased as punch. "He can set an example as to how a good citizen from any race or religion can achieve what he wants provided he's got the determination," said Tariq Khawaja."
Good luck to him - opening for NSW is a massive achievement, he will be partnering Phil Jacques from the Aussie Test team
..........
