Michael Clarke claim torn apart amid stark Usman Khawaja Ashes reality

Michael Clarke has made a bold call about the Test future of Usman Khawaja but his claims have been rubbished.

Michael Clarke has called for Australian selectors to give Usman Khawaja the send-off he deserves, but the stats and recent history say that shouldn’t be the case.

Khawaja’s back spasms saw Australia turn to Marnus Labuschagne and then Travis Head to open the batting in Perth alongside debutant Jake Weatherald.

But it was Head’s incredible display in the second innings to help the hosts to an eight-wicket win over England in Perth that has given Australian selectors plenty to consider, with the reigning Allan Border Medallist belting 123 off 83 balls.

Since Warner’s retirement at the beginning of 2024, Australia has tried various opening partnerships, and none have stuck.

Warner was also allowed to go out on his own terms, holding down the position arguably two years too long, which stopped others from getting a shot to open the batting for Australia and make it their own.

Since his retirement, Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Labuschagne have all partnered Khawaja, 38, in the past two years.

Michael Clarke has called for Usman Khawaja to remain Australian opener. Image: Getty

And after 31-year-old Head shone up the order and Weatherald showed plenty of promise in the second innings, many believe it is the perfect time for Khawaja to make way. But not Clarke.

The former Australia skipper said earlier this year that the SCG against India should have been Khawaja’s farewell, but now he believes selectors should stand by the under-fire opener.

“I still like Head at No. 5 to be honest,” Clarke told Code Sports.

“I cannot see the selectors making a change for the second Test. I think they will keep the faith with Uzzie. He has been at the top of the order for a while.

“I think Khawaja stays at the top of the order, and I do not think the Aussies are making any changes. They will stick with the same XI, assuming Cummins and Hazlewood are still not fit.”

Travis Head belted 123 off 83 balls in the second innings in Perth. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

In the past two years, Khawaja has only scored one Test century and surpassed 50 on one other occasion.

However, with the lack of options at the top of the order, he has held onto his spot.

But leading the calls for that to change is former Australian women’s captain turned commentator Lisa Sthalekar, who doesn’t want to see Australia make the same mistake as they did with Warner.

“Make the bold change now by moving past Khawaja. Otherwise, selectors could fall into the same trap that put the Aussie team in this position in the first place,” she wrote in her column for The Nightly this week.

“They allowed Warner a chance to finish his Test career in front of family and friends at the SCG in 2024.

Usman Khawaja walks off the field after his dismissal on day 1 of the first Ashes cricket Test match between Australia and England. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Lisa Sthalekar believes Australia needs to axe Khawaja for good. (Photo by Will Russell – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images,)

“Whilst it was a fitting way to say goodbye to one of our great openers, there was a missed opportunity to blood a new opener against a slightly weaker attack of Pakistan, before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and now the Ashes.

“This is the Ashes. Australians are 1-0 up, so just pick your best 11 to press home the advantage in Brisbane, where the conditions are more like a day-night one-dayer anyway, an environment Head thrives in.

“Is it fair to drop Usman? My real question to you all is, is life always fair? In my experience, it isn’t, so why do we try to conjure up happily ever after endings in sport?”

It is a sentiment that former Australian cricketers turned commentators Simon Katich and Damien Fleming also agreed with, speaking on SEN on Monday.

“Travis Head and Jake Weatherald should open,” Katich said on SEN.

To which Fleming replied. “Same with me.”

“You cannot change that (their pairing). That was exhilarating and good signs from Jake Weatherald that we can actually have a two-pronged attack. Because he’s a very fluent scorer. Give them time to bat together.”

Moving Head up the order would also allow selectors to bring the unlucky Beau Webster back into the line-up.

The lanky Tasmanian was one of Australia’s best last summer, and he also gives the side another bowling option.

The second Test match will take place at the Gabba on December 4.

Originally published as Michael Clarke claim torn apart amid stark Usman Khawaja Ashes reality