'I think it was the perfect scenario for him': Usman Khawaja names Australia's X Factor

Marnus Labuschagne was the only change in Australia's World Cup squad as he replaced the injured Ashton Agar on the 15-member team. The five-time World Champions didn't have the desired preparation as they lost to India 2-1 in the recently held three-match ODI series. 

3 things you need to know

• Australia will commence their World Cup campaign against India
• The World Cup will kick off on 5th October
• Australia has five ICC World Cup titles in their tally

Australia remains one of the favourites in the ICC Cricket World Cup

Irrespective of their recent form, Australia always remains one of the title contenders in an ICC event. Having played two ODI series on Indian soil in a gap of six months, this Australian squad has amassed enough experience which could be cashed in the tournament.

Labuschagne's inclusion further strengthened the already enriched Australian batting lineup. Travis Head could miss a couple of matches as he had been struggling with a fractured hand and if needed, Labuschagne could fill up in his absence. Marnus replaced the injured Steve Smith in the series against South Africa.

Also Read: India vs England warm up match live updates

The right-handed batsman fazed everyone with two back-to-back excellent innings in the first two ODIs. He scored 80 in the first ODI and backed it up with another hundred in the next game. His consistency has been a key part of his success and his colleague, Usman Khawaja, echoed the same.

During an interaction with Fox Cricket, the Queensland opener said, “He just weasels his way in there, doesn’t he? He just lurks in there.

“It’s funny, you give Marnus an opportunity, he very rarely misses out.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s in there.”

Also Read: Mohammed Siraj hits Virat Kohli on shoulder with a bouncer during practice session - WATCH

Heaping praise on his Queensland colleague the Australian batsman further added that the player had nothing to lose in this tournament and this could emerge as the perfect opportunity for him.

“He always had it in him.

“He’s played some beautiful innings for Queensland in the past, and I think he’s found that form again at the international level.

“But it’s always hard to do at the international level because his spot was never certain … it still isn’t.

“He really had nothing to lose, and I think it was the perfect scenario for him.”

Australia will begin their ODI World Cup match against the hosts India at the M. A. Chidambaram/Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.