Cape Town - Australia coach Justin Langer has confirmed that Usman Khawaja has had surgery on his knee and could return to cricket before the first Test against India in December.
Khawaja suffered a meniscal tear in his left knee during the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and was serious doubt for the start of the four-match Test series at home against India, starting in Adelaide on 6 December.
However, Langer has revealed that the 31-year-old could play a first-class game for Queensland ahead of the series against Virat Kohli's team.
Langer said on SEN: "My understanding is he's had surgery - though I haven't heard the results yet.
"Some of my messages yesterday were that he might be up for the Shield game before the first Test, which would be a real bonus for us."
The news will come as a boost for Langer as Khawaja was one of the stand-out players as Australia slumped to a 1-0 series defeat against Pakistan in the UAE.
The left-hander, who is now Australia's most senior batsman in Test cricket after the suspensions of Steve Smith and David Warner, struck 141 in the first Test as the Aussies escaped with a draw in Dubai.
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