World Cup 2019: Injury scare for Usman Khawaja in warm-up game against Sri Lanka

The ball appeared to strike Khawaja's left kneecap and he immediately called for medical attention before limping off the pitch

Usman Khawaja’s knee injury during the warm-up match against Sri Lanka on Monday has left the defending champions in worries. The Aussie opener was seen hobbling after he dived to stop the ball at mid-off that had been driven firmly by Jeevan Mendis of the bowling of Steven Smith. The ball appeared to strike Khawaja's left kneecap and he immediately called for medical attention before limping off the pitch. Later, a Cricket Australia spokesperson said Khawaja hadn't suffered any major damage and expected that he would be fit to bat during Australia's chase Khawaja has had trouble earlier with his left knee. He had a reconstructive surgery in 2014 and in October 2018 he twisted his left knee and suffered a meniscal tear during a warm-up fielding drill during Australia's Test series against Pakistan in the UAE. That put him in doubt for the series against India that followed, although he ended up playing all of Australia's matches in the 1-2 series defeat. The absence of David Warner, who was serving a year-long ban for his involvement in a ball-tampering scandal, helped Khawaja cement his place in the top of the order. The southpaw formed a formidable opening partnership with captain Aaron Finch and Australia have been rotating him, Warner and Shaun Marsh in the World Cup warm-up ties in an attempt to settle on their best batting line-up.