1 hour ago
8
Usman Khawaja’s fitness has again been thrown into doubt after the embattled Australian opener appeared to be suffering from some discomfort during a nets session on Monday.
The Queensland batter was forced to leave the field due to back spasms during Australia’s eight-wicket victory against England in Perth last week.
Questions had lingered over whether he would be fit to play in the second Ashes Test at The Gabba, which commences on Thursday, with some calling for the Australian veteran to step down from the side.
But it appears the 38-year-old is doing everything he can to be fit for the Brisbane Test, with Khawaja returning to the nets on Monday, where he was put through his paces by Australia’s physio Nick Jones.
The initial signs coming out from that 25-minute session were positive, with Khawaja seen, per The Sydney Morning Herald, giving his coaches a thumbs up after working his way through a series of shuttle run drills and some squats.
However, fears have begun to mount that Khawaja may still be struggling with the back issue, after he looked in some discomfort during a subsequent session in the nets - his first knock back after the Perth Test.
Usman Khawaja’s fitness has again been thrown into doubt after the embattled Australian opener appeared to be suffering from some discomfort during a nets session on Monday
Khawaja completed a range of fitness drills before stepping into the nets for a 30-minute batting session
Cricket.com.au explained that the Queensland star appeared in discomfort at times during his 30-minute practice session, with Khawaja facing deliveries from coach Michael Di Venuto.
The Australian had appeared to grimace as he stretched for several shots but between deliveries, the 38-year-old moved freely, bending over to pick up balls.
Team doctor Leigh Golding had signalled to the cricketer that he should wrap up his nets session, after he had appeared in pain. But Khawaja defiantly continued to bat on for another 10 minutes.
Steve Smith, meanwhile, watched his team-mate’s nets session vigilantly. The hosts will wait until they see how Khawaja reacts to his return to training over the coming days, with squad members Josh Inglis and Beau Webster ready to step into the starting line-up, should Khawaja not be ready to play.
After he was forced to leave the field during England’s first innings in Perth, Khawaja was subsequently ineligible to open the batting for Australia, with the left-hander instead coming in at four.
His time at the crease would be short. Khawaja faced six deliveries and amassed two runs before he clipped an edge from Brydon Carse to England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. And thanks in part to Travis Head’s heroics, Khawaja was not required during the second innings.
The Aussie star, who made his Test debut against England in Sydney during the 2010-11 Ashes series, has struggled for form in recent years, with Khawaja making just one century since Australia last played England at Edgbaston in 2023.
Pressure has been mounting on Khawaja to relinquish his place at the top of Australia’s batting line-up, with broadcaster Gerard Whateley stating that the Queensland batter deserves a ‘Gabba farewell’ but shouldn’t be deployed for this week’s Test at The Gabba.
Khawaja was, at times, seen grimacing in the nets as he received throw-downs from Australia coach Michael Di Venuto
The Aussie star, who made his Test debut against England in Sydney during the 2010-11 Ashes series, has struggled for form in recent years, with Khawaja making just one century since Australia last played England at Edgbaston in 2023
‘Magnificent career, particularly the Renaissance period, but don’t play him! That’s a crazy idea! I just think these questions absolutely answered themselves,’ Whateley told SEN.
‘I’d be really disappointed if Head doesn’t open for the remainder of the series, but if they take that strategic choice, they should put Renshaw in, because he has now banged the door down with three Shield centuries and one against the pink ball at the Gabba.
Marnus Labuschagne has also felt the pressure to perform for Australia, after his place in the Test squad came under scrutiny over the past 18 months.
But Labuschagne says he will not be giving Khawaja any tips on how to handle the outside noise, claiming: 'I don't think he needs advice, he's 38, he's been around the block a long time,' Labuschagne said.
'He's an amazing player and the way he's gone about his game, the way he's gone from a No.3, 4 and then opened the batting and the way he's done that, navigated some tricky scenarios.
'He's just been awesome.'
Khawaja will turn 39 midway through the third Test in Adelaide which commences on December 16.
If he is set to retire from Test cricket, Khawaja may be hopeful that he can bow out at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the Aussie having been brought up in New South Wales and making his first-class cricket debut for the Blues.
Khawaja was forced to leave the field during England's first innings in Perth after suffering back spasms
Pressure has been mounting on the Khawaja (pictured) to relinquish his place at the top of Australia’s batting line-up, with broadcaster Gerard Whateley stating that the Queensland batter deserves a ‘Gabba farewell’ but shouldn’t be deployed for this week’s Test at The Gabba
But while Labuschagne praised Khawaja, he admitted that there are no players in the Aussie team who can dictate when they might retire.
'I think the most important thing is the team comes first at any stage,' Labuschagne said.
'Taking nothing away and he's an amazing player, he's been an amazing player, 85 Tests averaging 45 (43.56) for Australia all around the world, the way he's played, he's amazing.
'But that's not up to me (whether he should decide when he gets to finish) and it's not up to any of us.'
