Khawaja leads Chairman’s X1 against SL

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

With the retirement of batting legend former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting, a contest is on to fill the vacancy created by him. Seconds out and the fight is on in the ring between former Australian left hander Usman Khawaja and Alex Doolan.

Of the two contenders, the odds favour Khawaja who has also been named captain of the Chairman’s X1 to play Sri Lanka in a three-day match beginning at the Manuka Oval on Thursday. Doolan is also in the squad.

Other contenders lining up are Bob Quiney and Philip Hughes who have donned the baggy green Australian cap previously. Quiney played in the series against South Africa but failed to make any worthwhile contribution.

Captain delighted

Khawaja was delighted when he was named captain of the Chairman’s X1 and if he strikes it big, should nudge the Australian Selectors to slot him into the vacancy created by Ponting. But whoever is finally selected, Australia will never find another Ponting.

Khawaja said that he would be glad to get some runs.But was confident that the Aussie Selectors have a fair idea of who they are going to slot in for the next series. The Captain has said he would like to go out to the middle and enjoy himself and make a big score and then see how it goes.

Doolan who played in the Chairman’s X1 with Khawaja last year came into contention with a blazing unbeaten 161 for Australia A in a tour match against South Africa who beat Australia 1-nil in the Three Test series which ended in Perth on Monday with a day to spare.

Rising talent

Khawaja will lead a Chairman’s X1 packed with rising talent including Australia’s Twenty20 all- rounder Glenn Maxwell, South Australian quick Chad Sayers and New South Wales opener Scott Henry.

The Australian Selectors have also found a slot for the 19-year old Queanbeyan batsman Dean Solway who this year joined the South Australian Red backs Academy.

Khawaja is third on the run list with 438 runs although failing in both innings for his club Queensland who lost to New South Wales at the Manuka Oval on Friday. Former Australian paceman Doug Bollinger dismissed him leg before in both innings.

Chairman’s squad

The Chairman’s squad to meet Sri Lanka in the Three-day beginning on Thursday will be selected from the following: Usman Khawaja (Capt), Luke Butterworth, Alex Doolan, Matthew Gale, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Scott Henry, Glen Maxwell, Chad Sayers, Dean Solway, Ashton Turner and Sam Whiteman. Canberra, Tuesday.