Australian opener Usman Khawaja faces an uncertain future in the Ashes series as he continues to struggle with a back issue that flared up during the first Test in Perth. The 38-year-old veteran is not guaranteed selection for the second Test in Brisbane, even if declared fully fit.
Selection Headache for Australian Coaches
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has created significant speculation around Khawaja's position in the team after failing to confirm the opener would automatically return to the side. Khawaja suffered back spasms during the series opener, which forced him to bat at number four in the first innings before he wasn't required in Australia's stunning day two run chase.
The selection dilemma has intensified following Travis Head's spectacular performance when stepping up to open alongside debutant Jake Weatherald. Head blasted a magnificent 123 runs in his first time batting at the top of the order in a Test match in Australia, immediately prompting calls for him to become the regular opener.
Medical Concerns and Performance Questions
Khawaja will undergo further assessment after returning home to Brisbane to determine his availability for the pink-ball Test at the Gabba. When directly questioned if Khawaja would definitely play if medically cleared, McDonald responded cautiously: "I'm not sure where he's at, medically. There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we first anticipated."
The veteran batsman's recent form has also raised concerns, with Khawaja averaging just 27.44 over the past two years. His difficulties continued in Perth where he managed only two runs before dropping a regulation catch in slips that would have dismissed England's dangerous wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for a duck.
McDonald explained the severity of Khawaja's back issues: "That back spasm took its toll in the first innings and got worse into day two, which is something that's pretty common. It's difficult once your back starts going into spasm to get it under control."
Bowling Attack Updates and Pink-Ball Considerations
Meanwhile, Australia's bowling attack faces its own selection challenges. Star quick Josh Hazlewood appears unlikely to feature at the Gabba after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury, though McDonald denied the injury would sideline him for the entire series.
Captain Pat Cummins is making strong progress to return for the second Test beginning on December 4th, creating welcome selection headaches for the Australian camp. Mitchell Starc's spectacular 10-wicket haul in Perth, combined with Brendan Doggett's five scalps on debut and Scott Boland's second innings recovery, gives Australia considerable fast-bowling depth.
The traditional dominance of pace bowling in pink-ball Tests has also raised questions about veteran spinner Nathan Lyon's involvement, though McDonald cautioned against assumptions: "If you looked at Australian pink-ball cricket in general terms, the middle sessions have been quite benign, and Nathan's done a lot of work there. To jump to the conclusion that you would automatically assume that it's just going to be another bowler-dominated game, we can't make those assumptions."
With Australia leading the series 1-0, the selection decisions for the Gabba Test could prove crucial in determining the direction of this Ashes contest.
