Khawaja, who missed the second Test victory in Brisbane due to back spasms, was unable to open in Australia\u2019s first innings after spending a lengthy period off the field with a back injury during England\u2019s batting in the series opener in Perth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Although Khawaja stated he was \u2018100 per cent fit\u2019 and ready to take part in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, he expressed his desire to don the whites and compete for Australia despite his difficulties with both health and form.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But the veteran opener, who has thus far featured in just a solitary innings of the ongoing Ashes series against England due to back spasms, was axed from the Playing XI for the Adelaide Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe has had one back injury in his whole career. I think it\u2019s an overreaction to correlate that to the age of the athlete. He prepares well; his Shield numbers are incredibly good comparative to everyone else \u2013 I think he\u2019s the leading runs average for the last three or four years,\" McDonald said on SEN Mornings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEvery time he drops back to that level, he dominates. If that\u2019s a determinant of who is the next best, or who is next in line in Australian cricket, then he is at the top of the pecking order there.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe\u2019s incredibly valued within this group. We\u2019ve got three Test matches to go in this series \u2013 if he plays this one, fantastic, he gets that opportunity. If he doesn\u2019t, he is still a part of this group and important. We always say, we\u2019re going to need a squad to get there. I can\u2019t speak highly enough for what Usman has done over the last few years for us,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khawaja turns 39 on Thursday, and his career now hangs by a thread, but McDonald remains steadfast in his belief that age is not a factor for him, the selectors, or for the opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think everyone\u2019s getting infused around the same age and putting an end date,\u201d he said. \u201cIt feels as though people want to hear an end date from him or from us \u2013 we are not that team. We are not going to put end dates on things.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khawaja turns 39 on Thursday, and his career now hangs by a thread, but McDonald remains steadfast in his belief that age is not a factor for him, the selectors, or for the opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe put the target out there, and that was a personal decision for him. I think Uz has been on the record saying he is going Test by Test; he just loves playing Test match cricket and wants to continue to play,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n