'Accept the challenge': Door open for Usman Khawaja's Test return

The door has been left ajar for Usman Khawaja to return to the top of Australia’s Test batting order, despite the veteran batsman being dumped from Cricket Australia’s contract list.

Axing Khawja was the hardest call that selectors made in compiling the list of names being offered CA contracts, with the out-of-favour veteran urged to target a spot at the top of the Test order.

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Khawaja and Marcus Harris lost their national contracts, having failed to play for Australia since last year's Ashes tour.

For 33-year-old Queensland batsman Khawaja especially, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow considering he was one of Australia’s most important batsmen during David Warner and Steve Smith's suspension.

Now, however, the classy left-hander faces the prospect that his international career could be over.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns insisted that Thursday's snub does not mean the door is shut on the 33-year-old, saying: "there's no reason Usman couldn't open the batting for Australia down the track".

Hohns says of all the decisions they had to make about contracted players, Khawaja’s was the toughest, but says he had confidence the batsman would fight for an Australia recall.

"Uzzy was a difficult one for us, probably the hardest one," Hohns told reporters.

"We know Usman's a fabulous player and I don't have any doubt he'll accept the challenge ... to get back into that Australian side.

"He has been a pretty good player for Australia but unfortunately the last 12 months haven't been his best.

"So a lot will depend on how Usman comes back, where he bats for his state and then it's a matter of really demanding to be chosen again."

Selectors resisted the urge to promote Khawaja up the order in last year's Ashes, when Harris, Warner and Cameron Bancroft all struggled.

They are yet to seriously contemplate dropping Burns, who backed up an impressive 97 at the Gabba with a string of starts in the previous summer, but Hohns made it clear "there's no doubt Usman could perform that role".

"We're quite happy with Joe. His form wasn't great but it was OK, he and David Warner seemed to have formed quite a good opening combination," he said.

Dumped stars have opportunity to discuss axings

Khawaja played an eye-catching role in the recently-released documentary series charting Australia's resurgence after the Cape Town cheating scandal, repeatedly offering forthright feedback to coach Justin Langer.

The left-hander and all players dropping off the contract list will be given a chance to "discuss and debate" their standing with Langer or Hohns in coming weeks.

Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis were also dumped from the list, having been overlooked by selectors since featuring in last year's one-day World Cup.

Test batsmen Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Burns and Matthew Wade were all elevated after being left off the original 2019-20 list, as were allrounder Mitch Marsh, paceman Kane Richardson and spinner Ashton Agar.

Glenn Maxwell hasn't played for Australia since last October, having taken a mental-health break then undergone elbow surgery.

Selectors have retained Maxwell on the national list, with Hohns confirming he remains part of their plans for 2020-21.

Cricket Australia 2020-21 contract list: Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

with Yahoo Sport staff