TEST debutant Usman Khawaja says he did not see the TV images of his mother praying in the crowd as he made his bow at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Khawaja scored 37 out of 134 for four on a rain-hit opening day but Australia’s first Muslim cricketer was not surprised if his mother had been as nervous as he was at the SCG.

He said: “I heard about it but didn’t see it. I wasn’t watching it so I heard about it. She’s quite a jittery watcher of cricket.

“My dad and my mum and brothers have been with me ever since I was born and they’ve been playing cricket with me and giving me their advice so it’s a big day.”

Khawaja listened to the advice of former opener and captain Mark Taylor, who handed him his cap before the start of the game.

“Mark just talked about his debut, the first time he went out,” said Khawaja. “He just told me to enjoy it and to be honest I don’t remember half of it because I was just too excited and a bit nervous and everything was happening, so it was good fun.”

SYDNEY is one of the first major cities to celebrate the new year but England’s players had to skip the fireworks display at the Harbour on New Year’s Eve.

With the fifth Test starting two days later, England’s players were too busy with their preparations to take part in the celebrations.

Tim Bresnan revealed: “We had an 8.15 leave for practice on New Year’s Day so pretty much all the lads took it quite easy.

“We’re up for this game. It’s not really tough to get up for it, it’s still an Ashes Test match and the ground’s still full.”

FORMER Baywatch star David Hasselhoff has sent a video message wishing Graeme Swann and his England teammates success in the final Ashes Test.

The Hoff, iconic star of the 1990s Los Angeles-based TV show, recorded the video message to Swann which has featured in the spin bowler’s latest Ashes Video Diary.

The full video can be viewed at www.ecb.co.uk.

ENGLAND’S odds of winning the Ashes series have been cut to 2/9 after they restricted Australia to 134 for four on the opening day of the final Test in Sydney.

Bookmakers William Hill have cut England’s odds following a rain-hit opening day, with Australia drifting from 11/4 to 3/1 to secure the win which would see them draw the series.

England are 5/4 to win the final Test, with Australia 3/1 and the draw 6/4.

Odds are also available from other bookmakers.