Usman Khawaja makes his Test Cricket debut

Title:
Usman Khawaja makes his Test Cricket debut
NFSA ID
1014857
Year
2011
Courtesy
Seven Network
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This clip is from a Seven News Perth story about Usman Khawaja making Test cricket history during the fifth Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 3 January 2011. 

While Ashes Test matches are often newsworthy events in themselves, this one was significant for a very specific reason as batsman Khawaja became the first Muslim and first Pakistani-born player ever to don the 'baggy green' cap and play Test match cricket for the Australian team. 

The clip, which features match coverage from the Nine Network, opens with Khawaja running onto the oval in his test debut against the England team. The roar from the high-spirited Sydney crowd can be heard competing with the commentary from Nine Network's Bill Lawry, who tells us the 24-year-old player is receiving a standing ovation from the fans as he enters the field.

Shots of his proud parents cheering him on from the stands and a short interview with Khawaja's brother add a personal angle to the story and help emphasise the occasion's importance.

In the selected footage from the day's play, Khawaja looks like a young man on a mission. He scores his first test match runs off the very first ball he faces and plays with the enthusiasm of an athlete whose lifelong dream has just become reality. His post-match interview leaves us with no doubts about his passion for the sport.