Test discard Usman Khawaja says Queensland’s ability to win trophies was behind his decision to switch states this summer.
Khawaja will line up for the Bulls for the first time in next week’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the Gabba, less than two weeks after arriving in Brisbane following a successful stint with English county Derbyshire.
The 25-year-old was one of several players to leave NSW in the winter with former Test opener Phil Hughes heading to South Australia while Nathan Hauritz has returned to Queensland after six summers with the Blues.
Denying his move had anything to do with issues within the NSW set-up, Khawaja says it’s the success Queensland has enjoyed under coach Darren Lehmann which drew him north.
“I came to Queensland cricket, one, because I felt like I needed a fresh start and two, I wanted to win,” Khawaja told reporters on Tuesday.
“I felt like being here gave me the best chance to enjoy my cricket and start afresh.
“Hopefully I’m here to contribute to Queensland cricket and win as many competitions as we can because obviously, that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Khawaja has enjoyed a bright start to life away from his home state, sealing the division two county title for Derbyshire earlier this month for his first piece of silverware as a first-class cricketer.
And despite seeing former NSW teammate Peter Forrest’s career take off since moving to Brisbane, Khawaja said he still has to work hard if he’s to add to his six Test appearances.
“Obviously they did a lot of hard work to get where they are,” said Khawaja when asked if Forrest and former South Australian Ryan Harris’s personal achievements with the Bulls were an incentive to move north.
“They just didn’t come here and it happened. There’s nothing that says just because I’ve come up here that my career is going to go to that next level.
“At this stage I’ve got a lot of hard work in front of me and there’s going to be a lot of tough times I’m going to have to get through.
“I haven’t given up hope, I’d like to play cricket for Australia again but I’ve got to do the little things right first.”
Khawaja was named on Tuesday in the Bulls’ 12-man squad to play the Redbacks from Monday, with Hauritz, Forrest and paceman Ben Cutting the other changes from the team that defeated Tasmania in last summer’s Shield final.
Steve Magoffin has moved to England, Chris Lynn and Alex Kemp were overlooked while Harris is still being eased back after shoulder surgery.
Qld squad: James Hopes (capt), Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Usman Khawaja, Alister McDermott, Andrew Robinson, Wade Townsend (12th man to be named).