Langer calls on batsmen to step up against Sri Lanka

Coach Justin Langer on Tuesday said senior batsman Usman Khawaja must convert solid starts into hundreds, as Australia look to bounce back from a crushing loss to India when they face Sri Lanka this week.

Australia axed Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb and the Marsh brothers, Shaun and Mitch, after the India humbling. But Khawaja survived and Langer is looking for fireworks from his number three.

"I had a good hit with him yesterday actually in the nets up here at Allan Border Field in Brisbane," Langer told SEN radio of Khawaja, who has a top score of just 72 this summer across Tests and ODIs.

"He admitted he's been frustrated.

"But he seems fine. He's in the best physical condition of his life, he's training hard, he's playing well, but that's often the way in Test cricket.

"We need him to stand up. He knows that, he's our most senior batsman. He needs and we need him to turn some of those great starts into hundreds for us."
"But he's a terrific young bloke. Regardless of if he plays or not, it's a great learning experience for him at the moment."
- 'India speaks loud' -
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