Problems surrounding his family had made it tough for Usman Khawaja to be at the top of his game for Australia, the top-order batsman said after getting back among the runs against Sri Lanka in the second test on Sunday.

Khawaja's older brother Arsalan was charged in December with creating what police described as fake plans for attacks against prominent people that led to the imprisonment of another man he saw as a rival for the affections of a woman.

The arrest came days before Australia's four-test home series against India, a series in which Khawaja managed just one fifty as the hosts slumped to a 2-1 loss.

"I've had a tough summer, I've got a lot of stuff going on off the field which has made things a lot tougher," Khawaja told reporters after his knock of 101 not out on Sunday.

"It's something that you don't expect to happen, my family is very close to me and I'm very close to my family, so at some level it made it tougher to just go out and concentrate and execute my skills."

Khawaja had scored 85 and 141 against Pakistan in Dubai in October and went into the series against India as Australia's batting mainstay in the absence of banned duo Steve Smith and David Warner due to ball tampering.

While he managed to get starts, Khawaja failed to convert them into big scores. He paid tribute to his wife Rachel for helping him through a mentally taxing period.

"I'm feeling a lot better now than I was a month or two ago, but it has been a tough couple of months," he added.

Australia's next test assignment will be the away Ashes series against arch-rivals England in August.

With critics starting to question whether Khawaja deserved a spot with the touring party, his eighth test hundred has come at just the right time.

"It's a hundred for Australia so it meant a lot," said Khawaja, who had celebrated the mark by leaping high in the air and pumping his fist in delight.

"It wasn't fun getting a duck in the first innings and feeling like you let your team down little bit."

Problems surrounding his family had made it tough for Usman Khawaja to be at the top of his game for Australia, the top-order batsman said after getting back among the runs against Sri Lanka in the second test on Sunday.

Problems surrounding his family had made it tough for Usman Khawaja to be at the top of his game for Australia, the top-order batsman said after getting back among the runs against Sri Lanka in the second test on Sunday. Khawaja's older brother Arsalan was charged in December with creating what police described as fake plans for attacks against prominent people that led to the imprisonment of another man he saw as a rival for the affections of a woman. The arrest came days before Australia's four-test home series against India, a series in which Khawaja managed just one fifty as the hosts slumped to a 2-1 loss. "I've had a tough summer, I've got a lot of stuff going on off the field which has made things a lot tougher," Khawaja told reporters after his knock of 101 not out on Sunday. "It's something that you don't expect to happen, my family is very close to me and I'm very close to my family, so at some level it made it tougher to just go out and concentrate and execute my skills." Khawaja had scored 85 and 141 against Pakistan in Dubai in October and went into the series against India as Australia's batting mainstay in the absence of banned duo Steve Smith and David Warner due to ball tampering. While he managed to get starts, Khawaja failed to convert them into big scores. He paid tribute to his wife Rachel for helping him through a mentally taxing period. "I'm feeling a lot better now than I was a month or two ago, but it has been a tough couple of months," he added. Australia's next test assignment will be the away Ashes series against arch-rivals England in August. With critics starting to question whether Khawaja deserved a spot with the touring party, his eighth test hundred has come at just the right time. "It's a hundred for Australia so it meant a lot," said Khawaja, who had celebrated the mark by leaping high in the air and pumping his fist in delight. "It wasn't fun getting a duck in the first innings and feeling like you let your team down little bit."

Australia's Usman Khawaja admits off-field issue took focus away

The brother of Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja has been charged with trying to influence a witness over a case where he allegedly framed a love rival with a fake terror plot, police said Friday.

Arsalan Khawaja was released on bail&nbsp;in early December after appearing in a Sydney court on charges of forgery and attempting to pervert justice.

He was re-arrested on Thursday "after allegedly attempting to influence a witness" in the counter-terror investigation, a New South Wales state police spokeswoman told AFP.

The 39-year-old was charged with breaching his bail conditions and influencing a witness in judicial procedures.

His bail was formally revoked by a Sydney magistrate Friday and he is expected to remain in custody until the next court hearing in February.

Sri Lankan Mohamed Nizamdeen was arrested in August over a "hit list" written in a notebook, which outlined plans to kill then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

But police released Nizamdeen in September and later dropped the charges after investigators could not link the handwriting in the notebook to him.

Investigators have said they believe Arsalan Khawaja set up his university colleague Nizamdeen in relation to a dispute over a woman.

Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja, 32, is playing in the ongoing third Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The brother of Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja has been charged with trying to influence a witness over a case where he allegedly framed a love rival with a fake terror plot, police said Friday.

The brother of Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja has been charged with trying to influence a witness over a case where he allegedly framed a love rival with a fake terror plot, police said Friday. Arsalan Khawaja was released on bail in early December after appearing in a Sydney court on charges of forgery and attempting to pervert justice. He was re-arrested on Thursday "after allegedly attempting to influence a witness" in the counter-terror investigation, a New South Wales state police spokeswoman told AFP. The 39-year-old was charged with breaching his bail conditions and influencing a witness in judicial procedures. His bail was formally revoked by a Sydney magistrate Friday and he is expected to remain in custody until the next court hearing in February. Sri Lankan Mohamed Nizamdeen was arrested in August over a "hit list" written in a notebook, which outlined plans to kill then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. But police released Nizamdeen in September and later dropped the charges after investigators could not link the handwriting in the notebook to him. Investigators have said they believe Arsalan Khawaja set up his university colleague Nizamdeen in relation to a dispute over a woman. Pakistan-born batsman Usman Khawaja, 32, is playing in the ongoing third Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia Test cricketer Usman Khawaja's brother re-arrested

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Australia's Usman Khawaja admits off-field issue took focus away

Australia Test cricketer Usman Khawaja's brother re-arrested