'That's the reality': Shane Warne's brutal truth for Usman Khawaja

Cricket legend Shane Warne said he thinks Usman Khawaja will be dropped following the SCG Test, despite his century on his return to the Australian team.

After two-and-a-half years in the Test wilderness, Khawaja completed a fairytale return on Thursday with a classy 137 at the SCG and his ninth Test century.

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Filling in for the Covid-hit Travis Head, Khawaja played with style and elegance and has already scored more runs than all but two Englishman this summer.

His knock came in his first Test since being dropped in the 2019 Ashes, admitting since then he was at peace with his career if he didn't get another opportunity.

Khawaja's knock in Sydney should ensure more chances will come.

However, Warne went on to claim that Australia have stuck with their team, that took an unassailable 3-0 lead against England, and it will probably see Khawaja left out of the Fifth Test.

“For me, I think Australia has invested in Harris. He got an unbelievable 70 in Melbourne conditions that were so hard, so difficult,” Warne said on Fox Cricket.

“I think Travis Head has to come in at No.5 and the debate is Harris or Khawaja.

“I think they’ve invested in Harris, he’s 30 years of age, I think he probably gets another game and unfortunately Khawaja misses out, that’s probably the reality.”

Usman Khawaja doesn't expect another Ashes Test

Despite Warne's tough prediction, Khawaja also expects to miss out.

"I knew it was one game for the series," Khawaja said.

"Heady's going to be back next game, he's going to be fit. I'm replacing him.

"The same thing happened to me once (in 2015), I scored a couple of hundreds, Shaun Marsh came in and scored 100 and he got dropped for me the next game.

"I understand the process. I'm not against that process either."

Khawaja's best chance to stay in the Australian could come at the top of the order, opening alongside childhood mate David Warner.

Selectors have made clear they want to give Marcus Harris a long run, but Khawaja's knock will only add further question marks around that call.

Khawaja averages 95.6 as an opener while Harris' career mark is at 25.21 after 25 innings.

with AAP

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