Australia suffered a setback ahead of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane as veteran opener Usman Khawaja was ruled out on Tuesday due to a lingering back problem.
Khawaja, 38, did not open in either innings of the series opener in Perth after suffering back spasms. Despite efforts to recover, he showed visible discomfort during Monday’s net session at the Gabba, prompting team management to sideline him for the upcoming Test starting Thursday.
“It’s hard because he’s put in a lot of work since the last game trying to get his body right, but he hasn’t come up unfortunately,” fast bowler Scott Boland told reporters. “He looked pretty good in the nets, but he must have felt he wasn’t ready.”
Australia will not call up a replacement, increasing the likelihood that Travis Head will continue as opener after his match-winning 123 in Perth guided Australia to an eight-wicket victory.
“I’m not sure about the middle order, but expect Travis Head to open,” Boland said. “The best thing about our team is that when someone goes out—whether through injury or form—someone else stands up.”
Australia have tested several combinations since David Warner’s retirement, including Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, but both have expressed reluctance to return to the opening position.
