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Usman Khawaja says it is frustrating to be in and out of the Australia Test team

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja (C) pulls the ball for four runs on his debut on day one of the fifth Ashes cricket Test against England
Image: Usman Khawaja says he is finding it hard to develop his game

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja says regular changes to the Test team "create instability".

The 30-year-old left-hander has been in and out of the team of late, missing out on the series in India earlier this year before he was recalled for the first Test in Bangladesh in August, only to be dropped for the second.

And, with an Ashes series against England approaching, Khawaja told ABC Radio he thinks the selection policy is misguided.

Khawaja said: "They never used to do it before, I'm not really sure why they do it now.

"It creates a lot of instability in the team I reckon, going in and out for everyone.

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"You hear things like 'the players are playing afraid' or whatnot, but that's what happens when you drop players all the time. We've been doing that a fair bit lately.

"For some reason it seems like lately in Australia the best players always seem to be the next guy in, which I don't totally agree with.

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"It's very hard to develop your game and play some consistent cricket if you're not getting consistent opportunities overseas, which I haven't been getting.

"It's frustrating, but I've just got to focus on what's in front of me.

"I'd love to win an Ashes series - it's something I haven't been able to do yet."

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Usman Khawaja of Australia hits the ball in the warm up during day three of the Australian Test
Image: Khawaja averages 45.47 in 24 Tests

The Queensland captain is in good form in domestic cricket and is expected to earn a place in Australia's top order for the Ashes, which start next month.

And Khawaja, who averages 45.47 in his 24 Tests, thinks the selectors already know who they want on duty in Brisbane on 23 November.

"I'm confident the selectors already know what their make-up of the team is going to be for the first Test," he added.

"There might be a few positions up for grabs depending on what happens in the Shield games, but I'm pretty confident they know what they're expecting."

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