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Usman Khawaja injured; replacements Australia could pick for 2nd Ashes Test vs England

Debashis Sarangi

Renshaw and Inglis could get in [Source: AFP]Renshaw and Inglis could get in [Source: AFP]

Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja had a disastrous start to the Ashes 2025-26, managing only two runs in the opening Test at Perth Stadium. But more than Khawaja's batting returns, what's bothering  Australia currently is his fitness status, as he continues to struggle with a back injury. 

The 38 year-old is at the twilight of his Test career, and considering his age, it won't be surprising if the injury sidelines Usman Khawaja from the second Ashes Test at the Gabba. So, as the hosts prepare for the pink-ball affair, here are three batters they might consider replacing Khawaja with if the batter misses out on selection. 

Matt Renshaw

Criterion
Data
Innings5
Runs421
Average84.20
50s/100s1/3

(Matt Renshaw in Sheffield Shield 2025-26)

  • As evidenced by the above stats, Matt Renshaw has showcased prolific form in the ongoing Sheffield Shield competition. More importantly, the southpaw has opened for Queensland, performing under extremely tricky batting conditions. 
  • The 29-year-old has represented Australia in 14 Tests, scoring 645 runs, including one century and three fifties. So, considering his red-hot form, Australia might bring Renshaw back as Khawaja's replacement if the latter misses the Brisbane Test due to injury. This will enable the hosts to utilise Travis Head's hard-hitting skills in the middle order. 

Josh Inglis

  • Australia's decision to send Travis Head to open the batting with Jake Weatherald weaved magic in the Perth Test. The swashbuckling southpaw smashed a breathtaking hundred, helping Australia chase the target successfully and go 1-0 up in the series. 
  • So, if Travis Head's recent exploits prompt the Aussies to persist with him at the top order, they might think to bring in Josh Inglis to fill his void in the middle order. 
  • The stylish right-handed batter has 119 Test runs, including a century, across four innings. He struck a fine hundred in the warm-up fixture against England Lions and might receive a surprise recall following his heroics. 

Peter Handscomb

  • While Renshaw and Inglis seem to be the frontrunners to earn a Test recall for the Ashes, Peter Handscomb could be an out-of-the-box choice for Australia amid Khawaja's injury concerns. 
  • The experienced campaigner leads Victoria's scoring chart with 398 runs across nine innings in the Sheffield Shield. He averages 44.22 and has already slammed two tons and one half-century. 
  • In 20 Tests, Handscomb has 1079 runs at an average of 37.20 in Test cricket. Although he's 34, the batter's excellent home record (566 runs, average 47.17) and recent form could script his comeback, which can definitely add quality and depth to the Aussies' vulnerable batting lineup.