Childhood dream comes true for Khawaja

As a boy Usman Khawaja waited for the SCG gates to open so he could watch his heroes for free. On Monday he will have another priceless experience there when he plays his first Test as the injured Ricky Ponting's replacement at No 3.

Khawaja, who will become the first Muslim to receive a baggy green, moved to Australia from Pakistan when he was three and as he grew up, his family couldn't afford match tickets. So he would hang around at the entrance until the gatemen let him in for a peek at Steve Waugh and Co.

When he enters the ground over the next week he will be treated like royalty by the home fans and as a target by England. "It's been a childhood dream for me," he said at the SCG. "Ever since I can remember I wanted to play for Australia."

Khawaja, 24, is a graceful, wristy left-hander who has impressed team-mates with his calm maturity. He is already a qualified pilot and is now in charge of navigating Australia from first-drop in an Ashes Test. Not since Justin Langer in 1992-93 has a debutant stepped out at No.3.

"Ricky is a legend of a cricketer, a legend of a bloke," Khawaja said. "I've only met him a few times, but he's made me feel like I've been part of the team when I really haven't.

"He's the kind of guy that if he told me to jump off a bridge I probably would, I'd follow him anywhere. I'm not here to fill Ricky Ponting's shoes, I'm going to go out there and try and do the best I can. To replace 12,000 runs is a big feat and I still haven't scored any."

Khawaja was on standby for Ponting in Melbourne and was also called late into the squad for the opening game in Brisbane when Michael Clarke had a bad back. He started the season well for New South Wales, scoring a double-century, and leads the Sheffield Shield run list with 598 at 74.75.

Despite his attractive overall record - he averages 51.70 in 27 first-class games - he hasn't posted a first-class hundred since his 214, although he has produced some useful half-centuries. The past four Tests have shown that Australia need big scores from their top six to survive against England and it is a tough ask for a debutant to provide such leadership in an ailing outfit. Whatever Khawaja does, it will be another memorable visit to the SCG.