‘End date’: Usman Khawaja overlooked as Australia makes key changes for Adelaide Test
Australia has made two key changes for the Adelaide Test, with selectors making a huge call on one of their veterans.
Australia has made two changes to its side for the third Ashes Test, but there’s no room for veteran opener Usman Khawaja, whose career appears at a crossroads just days out from his 39th birthday.
Skipper Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon return to the XI for the match in Adelaide starting on Wednesday, with Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett to miss out.
Australia can retain the Ashes with a win or draw at the Adelaide Oval, but Khawaja won’t be there to contribute after the 85-Test veteran was left out of the team.
Khawaja didn’t play in Brisbane due to back spasms, which plagued him in the first Test in Perth where he wasn’t able to open in the first innings and didn’t bat in the run chase where Travis Head moved to the top of the order and smashed a century.
Cummins will play his first Test since July after overcoming his own back issue, with the Aussie quick adamant that Khawaja still has a “path back” to the Test side.
“He’s a real team man who will do whatever the team needs,” he said, with Khawaja not reaching 50 in his past 11 Test innings.
“It’s not only ‘Ussie’. Beau Webster has missed out these three Tests, Neser coming off a five-for and ‘Doggy’ coming off playing in the first two Tests (are also out), so there’s a disappointed group of players.
“They’ve all been fantastic around the group with their buy-in. We know that we need a squad to win an Ashes series, and they’ve all been brilliant.”
Speaking on SEN before the team was announced, Australia coach Andrew McDonald scoffed at suggestions that Khawaja’s age was a factor when it came to picking the side.
“I think everyone’s getting infused around the age and putting an end date,” he said.
“It feels as though people want to hear an end date from him or from us – we are not that team. We are not going to put end dates on things.
“He’s incredibly valued within this group, we’ve got three Test matches to go in this series – if he plays this one, fantastic, he gets that opportunity. If he doesn’t, he is still a part of this group and important.
“We always say, we’re going to need a squad to get there. I can’t speak highly enough for what Usman has done over the last few years for us.”
Tuesday’s decision doesn’t necessarily spell the end of Khawaja’s career, with no guarantees that Head will continue to open given his ability to dominate down the order.
But it’s hard to ignore what he did in Perth, with Head making batting look easy with his aggressive approach on a tough wicket.
“I think the big thing that’s shifted on us is Trav opening after that first Test and how good that’s looked,” Cummins said.
“We’re pretty happy with that batting line-up, so it didn’t feel like it needed to change the middle order.
“I haven’t thought about that (whether he’ll make the permanent move). At the moment it feels like it makes sense for now. That might change. In the past he’s done different bibs and bobs on tours when it’s made sense.
“He’ll do it this week, but each week you look at what the next game needs. With the current line-up, we’ve got plenty of flexibility in the squad. It’s looking pretty good at the moment.”
Steve Smith is good to go after surviving a couple of blows to the body in the nets, while Cummins has been given the green light to return after being sidelined for five months.
“I’m good to go. I’ve been bowling 100 per cent for a while,” he declared.
“If I played in Brisbane, I would have probably been on limited overs, but this week it’s a case of me playing like it’s any other Test match.
“I think it’s been fantastic to watch. It’s lived up to the hype that’s been captivating every session. I’ve loved it and I’m itching to get out there.
“The boys have been fantastic. Steve has led brilliantly, so I feel like I’m coming into a happy and settled side. It couldn’t have gone any better from our point of view.”
Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
