After guiding the Sydney Thunder to a breakthrough final berth with his unconquered 104 against the Adelaide Strikers, Usman Khawaja revealed there were times during the club's lean years when he'd ask himself whether he wanted to be in a team derided as "The Chunder" and considered the Big Bash League's "basket case".
After playing his starring role in Thursday night's victory at Adelaide Oval, Khawaja, a Sydney Thunder foundation player, revealed the team's formative seasons affected him. However, he credited Michael Hussey's belief the club could be 'something' for providing him with a renewed resolve.
"It was tough because you play cricket to win and you're not just winning and you're trying your best and still not winning; you're trying your best again and you're still not winning ... it's a bit of a helpless feeling at times," said Khawaja of the Thunder's doldrums.
"There were times when I thought 'do I want to be in this team still, what do I want to do?' But when 'Huss' came on board I thought we had a really good chance of picking this team up. l remember having a chat to Huss when he first came on and I said, 'look, the Thunder is close to my heart, I grew up in the west of Sydney,I think we can do this but it might take a little bit of time'.
"I think that's why he came over, for the challenge. We're reaping the rewards now and I'm hoping we can reap the rewards one more time and win that final."
Khawaja has only batted in the BBL on three occasions this summer but his 275 from scores of 109 not out, 62 and Thursday night's unbeaten 104 in his team's first semi final appearance establishes him the league's fourth highest runscorer behind Chris Lynn (378), Travis Head (299) and Hussey (288).
After scoring his latest century off only 55 deliveries Khawaja provided an insight into how batting in the "now" allowed him to take strike without feeling weighed down by pressure.
"I don't look at the scoreboard at all," he said. "I go out there and bat exactly like we'd bat if we were chasing 200. I make sure everything is the same because I've seen when you start changing your plans, you go and attack a little bit, you can get into strife."
"Growing up I never played cricket well when I put too much pressure on myself or if I take the game too seriously, I just don't do it any more. I go out there and have fun, even before I bat I'm jumping around, I'm not really serious; going out there like it is any other day, any other game. That's the only way I can enjoy my cricket."
Hussey said Khawaja is in the zone and his advice was for the 29-year-old to enjoy the ride.
"He is so relaxed and so clear in his mind about how he's going about it at the moment," said Hussey. "He's just seeing the ball, letting his instincts take over and playing good shots.
"How long it lasts for, I don't know. We've seen Steve Smith go through a real purple patch for a long time. Once they figure out how they play best and how they score runs they can be consistent for a long period of time.
"Usman is at a stage in his career where he's worked out how he bats best and what state of mind he needs to be in and that's half the secret."
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