If Usman Khawaja is selected for the first Test against South Africa in Perth on November 3, his batting position may not be one he's used to.
According to coach Darren Lehmann, the Queensland skipper could find himself anywhere inside Australia's top six, as Shaun Marsh is in serious doubt for the first Test after suffering a hamstring injury playing for WA in the Matador Cup.
Khawaja was dropped in favour of Marsh for the final Test in Sri Lanka, but it looks as though roles may be reversed this time around.
"I think you can look at him (Khawaja) as a one, two or three," Lehmann said.
"It depends on the make-up of the side.
"At the end of the day the captain will decide where the batting order lies and we’ll just give him the side we think is the best prepared and the best team to win that particular game.
"Usman is one of those guys can bat one, two, three or four, five or six… so that’s an advantage with him so really depends on how the other players shape up with the Shield round."
Khawaja has spent most of his time in the Test team at No.3, coming in after the opening wicket 25 out of 29 innings.
The left-hander doesn't mind what position he's asked to bat in, but Khawaja is preparing as if he's taking the field against South Africa in the opening Test.
"I haven’t really chatted to them (selectors) at all about it (selection)," Khawaja said on Tuesday.
"I’m just trying to play stuff for Queensland. We’ve got (Matador Cup) finals coming up first. That’s a pretty big thing going on there.
"Not looking too far ahead yet but I am planning everything as it’s going as if I’m playing that first Test.
"And if I don’t I’ll reassess then."
