The Ashes 2025: Injury forces Usman Khawaja out of golf event, as Test legend defends opener
Usman Khawaja’s Test career-threatening back injury has also forced him to withdraw from a pro-am golf event as a former Australian great defended the veteran’s decision to play golf in the lead-up to the Ashes opener.
The back injury that has imperilled Usman Khawaja’s Test career has also forced him to withdraw from a pro-am golf event as former Australian great Mark Waugh defended the veteran’s decision to play golf in the lead-up to the Ashes opener.
An unbeaten century from Josh Inglis on Monday has further complicated Australia’s selection picture ahead of the second Test after coach Andrew McDonald would not guarantee Khawaja his place in the Aussie side - even if fit - for the Gabba pink-ball clash.
Khawaja had been tentatively scheduled to feature alongside several other prominent sportspeople in Wednesday’s Australian PGA pro-am event at Royal Queensland but has pulled out as he manages his back complaint.
CA has been emphatic that Khawaja’s back injury is not related to his decision to play golf three days in a row before the first Test.
Khawaja has returned to Brisbane after suffering the first back spasm of his career in the first Test in Perth which Australia won inside two days.
He felt uncomfortable early in the match and aggravated the injury when leaping skywards to try and haul in a catch.
If, as expected, Khawaja proves his fitness, the selectors will have to decide whether to recall him or leave Travis Head in the position where he scored the hell-raising century that won the Test for Australia.
Opinions are split on the issue.
Waugh, a commentator for Kayo Sports, said there was no issue with Khawaja’s call.
“What do you want to do, keep them in their hotel room? No, I don’t have a problem with it,” Waugh said.
“I’m sure he didn’t play golf knowing he had a bad back. So no, I’ve got no issue with it. You’ve got to fill in your time. And be normal.”
Khawaja had no discomfort while playing golf and shot 76 off the stick.
Khawaja also posted a picture of a golf course on Instagram on Monday captioned: “What a week! It had it all.” It was the fourth image after three cricket celebration pics.
Inglis, the spare batter and wicketkeeper in Australia’s first Test squad, finished 125 not out from 107 balls opening the batting in the Cricket Australia XI’s win over the England Lions at Lilac Hill, completed on Monday.
Should Head stay at the top alongside Jake Weatherald, Inglis would be an option to replace him in the middle order, as would be all-rounder Beau Webster.
Australian golfer Min Woo Lee weighed in on Khawaja’s decision to play golf for three successive days before the first Test, believing it is important for athletes to find an outlet away from competitive sport ahead of major competitions.
“We don’t want him hurt, but you’ve got to have a balance between having fun and being outside, so hopefully that’s not the reason (he got injured) … but good on him. We all love golf,” Lee said.
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Originally published as The Ashes 2025: Injury forces Usman Khawaja out of golf event, as Test legend defends opener
Aussie’s bombshell call, Test career over
