Australia head coach Andrew McDonald shared a big update on Usman Khawja's fitness ahead of the second Ashes Test. Notably, the left-hand batter had sustained back spasms during the Ashes opener. The injury saw him being demoted down the order even though he is known to open the innings. The 38-year-old had a forgettable outing in Perth as he was able to score two runs in the one inning that he batted in.
Khawaja's injury to be closely inspected
Additionally, Khawaja was also responsible for dropping a simple catch in slips during England's second innings and was soon taken off the field. McDonald confirmed that the medical staff will closely inspect the injury and is hopeful about him being fit and available for selection for the second Ashes Test that will be played in Brisbane from December 4.
“There were discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we sort of first anticipated. So we will work through that. We will get a squad together. We will step through everything we normally do. We get to camp in six days’ time. It is a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then, and hopefully, Usman is fit and available for selection," McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
McDonald also went on to dismiss concerns regarding Khawaja's age and stated that he had played 18 rounds of Golf before the match. He went on to add that this isn't anything new and that it hasn't affected the batter's fitness previously. Notably, this is the first time in his playing career that Khawaja has experienced back spasms.
"These things can happen. And I do not think you can join the dots to something around his age. I think it is just one of those things that’s happened," McDonald added.
Head set to open again?
If Khawaja does end up missing out the second Ashes Test, then it may see Travis Head open the innings once again for Australia. The left-hand batter went on to play an incredible knock of 123 runs from just 83 deliveries as the hosts easily chased down the 205-run target on the second day and took a 1-0 lead in the series. It remains to be seen if Head will be elevated up the order again at The Gabba.