For Usman Khawaja, the next chapter is about the team, not himself

Sam Konstas had already hit Matt Kuhnemann over the ropes on two occasions in the space of three deliveries he'd faced from the left-arm spinner.

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Once over his head to the right of the sight-screen, and once more in the direction of a wide long-on. And he seemed very pleased with himself on Monday morning at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Only for Usman Khawaja to walk down the pitch from the other end and have a word with his soon-to-be Test opening partner. It didn't seem like a technical chat from a distance but more to do with getting his teenaged teammate to probably take it a bit easy and not charge at every ball. Konstas seemed to get it too. Waiting for a few more deliveries before finishing his session by launching into a slog sweep off Kuhnemann that impressed him so much, he responded by raising his arms in victory. But by this time Khawaja had finished his first stint in the nets and walked back to the practice area at the back.

The 38-year-old veteran had by then also done what he is keenest on doing in this next chapter as a Test cricketer for Australia. To be a mentor, a guide, a voice of reason for the man half his age who he'll be facing the new-ball with come Wednesday. Not just this week but for the next few months as Australia enter a slow stage of transition in the lead-up to the Ashes. One of the key reasons why Khawaja, as he tells Cricbuzzin this interview, feels that the rest of his Test career would be to play with the pure intention of what he can contribute to the Australian team.