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Khawaja cops World Cup warm-up scare

3 minute read

Usman Khawaja has limped off the field after copping a ball to the knee as Australia restricted Sri Lanka to 8-239 in their World Cup warm-up match.

KANE RICHARDSON of the Renegades looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Renegades at SCG in Sydney, Australia.
KANE RICHARDSON of the Renegades looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Renegades at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Usman Khawaja looks set to overcome a blow to his troublesome left knee after he limped from the field in Australia's last warm-up game against Sri Lanka.

The Aussies restricted their opponents to 8-239 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Monday, but the biggest concern was for Khawaja after he was hit by the ball while fielding at mid-off.

The Queenslander stayed down and limped from the field after being struck in the knee trying to stop a firmly driven drive from Jeevan Mendis, however he is expected to return to open the batting.

Khawaja has twice undergone surgery on his left knee, however this blow appeared to be more of a contact injury than any structural problem.

It comes with David Warner also being rested with upper leg tightness, although the returning star is believed to be in no doubt for Saturday's opening match against Afghanistan.

Khawaja and Warner are engaged in a battle to open the batting with captain Aaron Finch, with Khawaja's spot under threat from Shaun Marsh if he's asked to move to No.3.

Meanwhile Adam Zampa (2-39) claimed two Sri Lankan scalps as he pushes his claim to be Australia's first-choice spinner, including the key wicket of Kusal Mendis for 24 at cow corner.

Nathan Lyon (1-48) also got a wicket, sliding one through the bat and pad of Sri Lanka's top-scorer in Lahiru Thirimanna to bowl him for 55.

Mitchell Starc (1-38) bowled with pace and regularly hit 150km/h in his opening spell, while Pat Cummins finished with 1-23.

Kane Richardson was the most expensive of the bowlers with 1-52 from six overs, with selectors yet to settle on their third pace option between he, Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Each of the trio have played two of the three warm-up matches since arriving in England, collecting three wickets apiece.

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