'Casual' Khawaja set to prove critics wrong with 'worthy' performance in Ashes

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has said that he is often misunderstood by some in the Cricket Australia hierarchy, saying that he will prove them wrong by proving himself on the field and bringing home the Ashes.

Khawaja has been largely stranded on the periphery in the past two years, playing only six Tests since his debut in an Ashes Test in Sydney in 2011, and against England, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Desperate to put his days of being 12th man, a standby or an extra batsman on tour behind him, Khawaja said that his casual exterior is often mistaken for a bad attitude by those who does not know him well, adding that the Ashes series in July and August is the battleground to finally confirm himself as a worthy member of Australia's top six.

Although being one of four players controversially stood down for a Test in India during that abysmal tour has further burdened his cause, however, the Pakistan-born left-hander is insistent that he works as hard as anyone, saying that he did not get to state level, or even playing for Australia without hard work and consistency.

Khawaja further said that he would be a lot more comfortable in international cricket if he can contribute in the Ashes, although he added that his teammates and captain Michael Clarke have never suggested that he is not playing to his full potential.

Meanwhile, Khawaja said that although he is disappointed at being a member of the so-called Mohali Four - the players suspended for March's third Test for not completing performance feedback on time, but had learnt from the experience.