Khawaja by Paul Kelly. Illus. by Avinash Weerasekera

A tribute to one of Australia’s greatest sporting heroes, Usman Khawaja, presented first on Youtube by singing sensation Paul Kelly is brought to life on the printed page for younger readers.

Khawaja always wanted to play for Australia and practised long and hard, becoming opening batsman in the U19 Championships in 2005, followed by U19 World Cup in 2006, then first class cricket opened with New South Wales in 2008. Given the baggy green in 2010, he went on to play 60 tests, as well as playing in the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, the IPL and county cricket in England. A look at his statistics on Wikipedia is astonishing.

Paul Kelly penned his tribute to Khawaja after he made a pair of centuries at the SGC, called up for Australia after being sidelined two years before. It is a tribute to a man of perseverance, determination and talent. The selectors said no for two years, then yes when Khuwaja was 35, not expecting to play again for Australia. But play he did, making a pair of centuries that resonate throughout the cricketing public world wide.

See Paul Kelly’s ballad here.

Readers will love to read of this man, born in Pakistan, arriving in Australia when he was four, aiming to play for Australia, and working on his game until he did. He was the first Muslim, Pakistani born person to join the Test team and stunned everyone with his effort in 2022 at the SGC.

Kelly’s song reads well as a ballad or poem and kids will love to hear it read aloud, and after hearing the musical version, learn to sing along with Paul Kelly, screaming out the refrain of 'Khawajaaaaa' at top voice.

Illustrations by Weerasekera support the text showing almost photographic like portraits of Usman Khawaja and the playing style he made famous, alongside the sporting fixtures on which he played. Each double page has a story to tell, and will encourage children to think about his life and the determination needed to achieve what he did.  An inspirational look at a great Australian cricketer.

Themes: Cricket, Khawaja, Determination, Test cricket.

Fran Knight