Usman Khawaja pressing to return for third Ashes Test in Adelaide

Usman Khawaja continues to mount a case to return from a back injury in Adelaide. But one Ashes-winning captain has questioned whether Australia is better to move on from the veteran opener.

Usman Khawaja put his troublesome back to the test in the scorching Gabba sun as former England captain Michael Vaughan cast doubt over whether the veteran opener could find a way back into the Australian side for the third Test.

Having been ruled out of contention for the Brisbane Test because of his ongoing back concern, Khawaja has refused to throw in the towel and is pushing for a recall for the Adelaide Oval Test beginning on December 17.

After spending some time in the nets earlier in the week, Khawaja went through a series of sprint and agility drills before play at the Gabba on Saturday, put through his paces by Australian physical performance coach Ross Herridge.

Khawaja seemed to be moving considerably better than he had during the first Test in which he was twice unable to bat in position because of back spasms.

However while fitness is a prerequisite for selection, even if cleared to play in Adelaide, Khawaja is not assured of regaining his spot to add to his 85 Tests.

Australian selection chairman George Bailey said on Thursday that his panel never made a call on whether Khawaja — who turns 39 on day two of the Adelaide Test — would have held his spot for the Gabba if available.

The Aussie batting lineup fared well as a collective on Friday, albeit Josh Inglis — the man who effectively replaced Khawaja — made a somewhat streaky 23 at No. 7. Australia’s top six all reached 30, though Travis Head was given a life on three when put down by Jamie Smith.

Vaughan, commentating on the series for Kayo Sports, said it was too early to make a definitive call on whether Khawaja should come back, but having watched Jake Weatherald make a dashing 72, his view was that Khawaja was facing a steep hill to return.

Usman Khawaja trains before the second Test in Brisbane.

Khawaja might have played his last Test after missing through injury.

“Let’s see what happens in the next two days, but no,” Vaughan told this masthead when asked if there was a road back for Khawaja.

“Jake Weatherald’s got to play, Travis Head looks an outstanding hitter, striker at the top of the order. The Adelaide Oval’s his home venue.

“Cameron Green’s a good player at five.

“We’re too early in the Test match to start talking about next week’s team, but this Australian batting line-up looked pretty good to me.”

Khawaja’s Test output has dwindled over the past two years, and he was out for two in his only innings in Perth.

While Weatherald scored at almost a run a ball, he said he had taken plenty of satisfaction too from many of the balls from which he didn’t add to his tally.

Australia's Usman Khawaja (L) chats with Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg on day one in Brisbane.

“I think we’re quite an adaptable batting group at the moment,” Weatherald said at the end of day two.

“Obviously, Heady will always go about it the way he does. But for me, I’m just seeing and reacting and trying to get in good positions. I didn’t actively go out there and play any differently than I normally would. It just ended up that way. It’s a really good wicket to bat on.”

Bailey said Khawaja’s back had not been ready for this Test.

“He hadn’t got his back back to baseline and if you’re not back to the starting point then it’s obviously a heightened risk,” Bailey said.

“He very much felt, I guess it’s a guilt … when you’re injured and you feel like you let the team down, and I think that was something he was conscious of – if it happened again, it’d be an awful feeling.

“So sitting this one out buys time to get it right and build it out from there.”

Originally published as Usman Khawaja pressing to return for third Ashes Test in Adelaide