Massive Blow! Star Australian Opener Ruled Out Ahead of Pink Ball Test

Just two days before the pink-ball Test at the Gabba begins on Thursday, Australian selectors announced that the 38-year-old will miss the match and won’t line up as an opener. Usman Khawaja ruled out for the second Ashes Test because of a back injury. He was already unable to take his usual opening role in the first Test against England after suffering back spasms.

Australia are missing several key players, with captain Pat Cummins still sidelined by a back problem, and fellow pacers Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott also out injured. Even with a depleted attack, the hosts had an eight-wicket victory in the series opener and will aim to extend their lead when the action moves to Brisbane for the pink-ball test. Steve Smith, who is one of the best test batsmen in the world, will take charge as interim captain for the second Test, which begins on 4 December.

Usman Khawaja Injury Raises Serious Concerns For the Aussies

Australia will be without Usman Khawaja for the second Ashes Test after the opener was sidelined by a back issue. His unavailability is likely to see Travis Head taking up his role at the top of the order, while all-rounder Beau Webster is in contention for a spot in the starting lineup. Khawaja faced his first deliveries since the injury in a brief 30-minute net session on Tuesday, but he still isn’t fit enough to feature in the upcoming Test.

The team confirmed that he will stay on tour to work through his recovery and that there will be no Usman Khawaja replacement in the squad. England, on the other hand, has finalised their combination, opting for spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks to replace the injured Mark Wood.

Khawaja is now facing a tight deadline to prove his fitness ahead of the third Test in Adelaide, starting December 17. Even if he returns in time, his place in the XI is not assured. He has scored only one hundred since mid-2023. In Perth, he managed only two runs after being shifted to the middle order in the first innings and wasn’t called upon to bat again. The back problem emerged shortly after he had spent three days playing golf before the series began. However, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg clarified that the injury had no connection to his time on the golf course.

List of Injured Players for the Second Ashes Test

A bunch of star players, including one of the best bowlers in the world, like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, are also sidelined for the pink-ball test, and the Australian management is hoping that they get fit in time to feature in the last three matches of the Ashes.

• Usman Khawaja: The seasoned opener has been ruled out of the second Test at the Gabba after his back troubles. Although he managed a brief hit in the nets earlier in the week, the medical team and selectors agreed he wasn’t ready for the match. He will stay on with the squad to continue his recovery.

• Pat Cummins: Australia will again be without their captain and frontline fast bowler, who is still working his way back from a lumbar stress issue. Cummins won’t take the field in Brisbane but will remain around the team as he moves through the final stages of his rehabilitation.

• Josh Hazlewood: The veteran quick remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. After sitting out the series opener, Josh Hazlewood has also been ruled out of the second Test, with the management hoping he can return later in the Ashes.

• Sean Abbott: Abbott is also unavailable after picking up a hamstring strain in domestic cricket.

• Mark Wood: The visitors will be without Wood for the second Test as he continues to manage a niggle in his left knee that worsened after the first match. England have opted for a different balance in the XI, bringing in spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks to add variety under the pink ball at the Gabba.