Australia makes shock call on Usman Khawaja ahead of second Ashes Test in Brisbane
Usman Khawaja’s back injury has ruled him out of his home Test and possibly ended his career, forcing selectors into difficult middle-order decisions.
Travis Head is locked and loaded at the top while Josh Inglis’ fielding placement provided a potential hint to Australia’s middle order picture after Usman Khawaja’s back trouble ruled the veteran out of his home Test and likely ended his career.
All-rounder Beau Webster and backup batter Inglis are conceivably vying for one position in the Aussie lineup while the door has not completely been closed on Pat Cummins parachuting his way into the XI as the answer to one question created further dilemmas for Australia’s selectors.
Khawaja hovered and went through some stretching exercises near his teammates as the Aussies trained under lights at the Gabba on Tuesday night, an hour or so after a line was officially put through the soon-to-be 39-year-old for the second Test.
Cricket Australia’s official position that Khawaja had been declared unavailable for the pink-ball match - beginning on Thursday - has ensured selectors have not had to make the call to drop him in what was shaping as a difficult decision after Head’s outstanding feats opening the batting in the second innings in Perth.
CA said Khawaja will remain with the Aussie squad as he continues his rehabilitation but given his dwindling form over the past two years, and the fact he was already an outlier in terms of age, he would appear to be a remote chance to be recalled to the side, particularly if the new-look opening combination of Head and Jake Weatherald fires in Brisbane.
It remains to be seen whether Khawaja will seek to fight his way back into the XI or announce his retirement, although it’s understood he is unlikely to make a snap decision to call it a day.
Given no specialist opener has replaced Khawaja in the squad, Head will remain at the top, with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith staying at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively.
Inglis and Wesbter, both of whom received a baggy green in January, are the two candidates to fill the middle-order berth left by Head, either at No. 5 or at No. 6 should Cameron Green be pushed up one position.
Inglis, generally a wicketkeeper, spent time fielding at third slip in a clue that he may be favoured to Webster.
There is also scope for Australia to pick both Inglis and Webster, albeit that would likely require the Aussies to leave out spinner Nathan Lyon in what would be a risky move despite the “GOAT’s” peripheral role in the series opener.
Cummins, though still not officially added to the Aussie squad, has not been categorically ruled out of playing in the second Test after starring in the nets earlier in the week.
“I’m not sure a decision’s been made on that yet,” Boland said before Australian training.
“I’d love to see him out there playing. He looked in red hot form the other night. It’s as good as you’ll see a fast bowler charging in the nets, and we know how good he is. He’s the best bowler in the world, so we want him out there as desperately as what everyone else does.”
Boland backed Australia to cover the loss of Khawaja despite having budgeted on him being available for the whole series.
“We probably planned to have Uzzy there for the whole time. But I think the best thing about our team over the last few years, when someone has come out, either due to form or an injury or something like that, someone’s always stood up and done their job.
“And I think Trav did that last week. And even without Pat and Josh (Hazlewood), I think some bowlers have come in and done a good job. So we’ve obviously got a huge depth in our squad, and we can sort of replace anyone if we need to.”
While the Gabba pitch looked green on Tuesday afternoon, head curator Dave Sandurski said it would have a different complexion come match day, with around three mm of grass likely to be left on the deck.
“We’re usually around the three mil mark up here. So that’s how all our last pink ball and all our Test wickets are at. So I see no reason why (it) would be anything different for this one,” Sandurski said.
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Originally published as Australia makes shock call on Usman Khawaja ahead of second Ashes Test in Brisbane
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