Australia batter Usman Khawaja scored a hundred on his Test return during the fourth Ashes Test match. His ninth century in the format came on Thursday (January 6) and he got out scoring 137 runs, as Australia declared on 416/8 in the first innings.
Khawaja’s wife Rachel and daughter Aisha witnessed the innings from the stands. As soon as he reached the triple figures, they gave him a standing ovation with the spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground and applauded the handy knock.
"Oh my goodness. It is pretty incredible. It was so unexpected. We didn’t even think he would be playing this game. Then to go from that to scoring a hundred, wow," Rachel said in an interview with Fox Cricket’s Kath Laughnan.
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The 35-year-old played his last Test match for Australia in the 2019 Ashes in Leeds. Rachel revealed that Khawaja was a bit nervous leading into the match, but he settled down after the final net session.
"He was definitely a bit nervous leading into the game for sure. More than I expected. But I think once he had that final net session the day before he felt a bit better.
"Last night he surprised me with how calm he was. He had a good night’s sleep and he woke up this morning and seemed pretty chilled. He is a pretty chilled person, but I thought he was a lot calmer than I thought he would be.
"I think we both just thought it was unexpected. He has been out of the team for two years," she said.
Khawaja and Rachel were blessed with a baby girl in 2020, and they are expecting another child. "Our life has really changed. We have got a kid and another one on the way. It has been more about family.
"And he has just been playing cricket and loving it playing for Queensland. Life has really changed for us and it really puts things in perspective," she added.
Rachel wanted Khawaja to play at least one more Test match in Australia so their daughter could watch her father play. "It means so much. I just wanted him to play one more Test at home so she could be there.
"I just wanted to tick that off the list. Then to have it end up like this is just incredible. Not just for us, but for Uzzie’s parents who unfortunately couldn’t be here today, who are sitting at home with his brother and nephew.
"They are all going to be so proud and excited for him. It is pretty incredible. I cannot wait to see him tonight. It’s amazing," she concluded.
