• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Usman Khawaja Ruled Out As Australia Release Updated Ashes Squad For 2nd Test Vs Eng

Usman Khawaja ruled out as Australia release updated Ashes squad for 2nd Test vs ENG

Umesh Sharma

Usman Khawaja (Source: AFP)Usman Khawaja (Source: AFP)

In what seems to be a big setback for the Australian cricket team, the veteran opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test against England, scheduled to be played in Brisbane. Earlier in the series, Khawaja also missed the first Ashes Test in Perth due to his back injury. 

However, on Tuesday, the senior southpaw was seen hitting the nets for almost 30 minutes at the Gabba. But he was not in a comfortable state in terms of his back injury, which transliterates into the fact he is yet to recover from the intensity of the injury. 

Meanwhile, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster are in consideration to be a part of Australia’s final XI for the second Test. Notably, the OZ management has ruled out the 38-year-old opener but hasn’t roped in any replacement for him in the squad. 

Here’s a look at Australia’s squad for second Ashes Test: 

Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.

Australia still in ‘think mode’ about role for Khawaja’s replacement

This replacement concern might also make the Aussies name another opener in the ongoing Ashes against England. This fact also comes in the light of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne taking responsibilities as makeshift openers in Khawaja’s absence. 

Amidst all this, the head coach Andrew McDonald also came up with a suggestion they could go ahead for hybrid approach while positioning the number of batters in the lineup. He also said that the management’s decision will completely rely on the nature of the conditions. 

McDonald’s stance also suggests that the Aussie think-tank is expected to do something innovative with the one who will be coming as Khawaja’s replacement in the playing XI. Both Inglis and Webster are good replacement options and they could fit in the top middle-order and the middle-order as well. 

The second Ashes Test between Australia and England will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 4 onwards.