The Ashes 2025: Mike Hussey backs Usman Khawaja recall, Head to return to middle order
If Usman Khawaja was regarded Australia’s best opener before the Ashes started, he should return to the top of the order if fit, according to an Aussie Test great who also called for Travis Head to return to the middle order.
Usman Khawaja must return to the Australian side and partner Jake Weatherald if passed fit for the Adelaide Test, according to Mike Hussey.
The former Australian batter said selectors should not have been swayed by the Perth Test, where Khawaja battled back spasms and was out cheaply in the first innings batting at No.4.
Instead, he urged George Bailey and his panel to back their pre-series determination that Khawaja was one of Australia’s best two openers to tackle England.
“If you think about it, before the Ashes series started Khawaja was at the top of the order,” Hussey said.
“Would that one innings change the whole mindset of the selectors? From him being locked in as the opener for the Ashes series, to one innings later suddenly he’s just out of the team. In my mind, no.”
Hussey said moving on from Khawaja and leaving Travis Head to partner Weatherald fulltime would be a “drastic” mid-series switch.
“Just thinking about (the Perth Test) pragmatically it wouldn’t change my thinking that much,” he said.
Hussey said he hoped the possibility of a farewell Test in Sydney would not weigh into the decision about whether to re-call Khawaja, who turns 39 on day two of the Adelaide Test.
“In his mind he might be thinking, ‘I still want to play for the next year or two’,” Hussey said.
“Who knows? I don’t like farewell Tests because it’s not about you.
“It’s about the Australian cricket team and what’s best for Australia. Not for you as an individual. You’re invited to play for Australia.
“I don’t think you should necessarily get to choose (your time to finish). It’s about the team. The team is the No. 1 thing.”
Hussey said ensuring Travis Head returned to his role as Australia’s middle-order enforcer should be the long-term priority.
Captain Pat Cummins was recalled to the Australian squad on Wednesday after missing the first two Tests, while Nathan Lyon is poised to return after being controversially left out of the pink-ball Tests.
Hussey said he expected Brendan Doggett and second Test hero Michael Neser would make way.
“They have shown that they are pretty consistent in the past,” he said.
“Scotty Boland has done so well but as soon as Josh Hazlewood was fit or Pat Cummins was fit, bang, they come straight back in and unfortunately Scotty has to miss out.
“I’d say that’s probably going to be the case again.”
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Originally published as The Ashes 2025: Mike Hussey backs Usman Khawaja recall, Head to return to middle order
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