He averages 24.35 from his past 10 home Tests and turns 39 next month. Coach Andrew McDonald stopped short this week of guaranteeing his place in the side.
Taylor, whose career average of 43.49 is almost identical to Khawaja’s 43.56, was at times shown patience by selectors. He didn’t make a half-century in 21 innings leading into the 1997 Ashes before scoring 129 in the first Test at Edgbaston.
Mark Taylor present Usman Khawaja with his baggy green in 2011.Credit: Getty Images
Earlier this month, fellow former captain Steve Waugh publicly challenged chief selector George Bailey’s desire to make hard decisions.
“George Bailey’s going to have to make some tough calls and I think in the past, he hasn’t really had the appetite for that at times,” Waugh said. “He’s going to have to step up to the plate with the other selectors because it is a time of transition.”
Asked whether the Khawaja decision would be a litmus test for selectors, Taylor said: “I think it probably is, yeah. We don’t know if Usman is available or not, so that might be taken out of their hands. If it isn’t, I would be making that tough call.
“We’ve talked for three months about who was going to open up with Usman Khawaja. It was finding that combination. Travis Head’s now done it nine times and averaged over 60. He’s now shown he can do it not just over in India or Sri Lanka, but here in Australia.
“That combination he has with Jake seems to be a very good one, albeit only one innings, but it looks a very good one. To me, that is problem solved. It also took a bit of pressure off Jake.”
Australia are not expected to finalise their XI until the eve of the match, with the second Test starting Thursday.
When asked on Thursday whether he wanted to remain as the side’s opener, Head conceded there were “touchy subjects” at play.
“I’ve been open in the background about where I’ve stood with it,” Head said on Triple M.
“I’m being completely respectful to Uzzy as well. He averages just under 45 over 85 Test matches, so he’s done an incredible job and since I got COVID four years ago, he’s been unstoppable for us. So there’s some touchy subjects in it all. Let’s see where we land, but ultimately we’ve just got to think about how we’re going to win the next Test and how we win the next four.”
Meanwhile, Taylor believes Pat Cummins should return to the side if fit. Australia are expected to name their squad for the second Test on Friday, with the skipper set to be included.
“If Pat says he’s ready to play, I’d be playing Pat,” Taylor said. “Australia have had a great victory … but you don’t take your foot off the pedal now.”
Loading
MacDonald said earlier this week a decision on whether to include Cummins in the XI would be made closer to the Test, which begins on Thursday.
“It will be a genuine discussion leading into [the Brisbane] Test match, and that may be one that eventuates late for us,” MacDonald said.
Debutant Brendan Doggett is the bowler most likely to make way should Cummins return to the XI. However, a return in Adelaide for the third Test is the most likely scenario.
“[There have been] no conversations whatsoever,” Doggett told reporters on Thursday on the issue of selection. “We soaked in the win. I assume conversations will start [on Sunday].
“It was a pretty hectic week for me on and off the field. I probably didn’t imagine a two-day Test. The crowd and the atmosphere was amazing.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
