Australia to Investigate Usman Khawaja Back Issue Ahead of Gabba Test

Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed medical staff would investigate Usman Khawaja recurring back problem ahead of the second Ashes Test.

Australia will conduct a medical investigation into Usman Khawaja’s back issue ahead of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. Coach Andrew McDonald revealed the 38-year-old opener’s recurring problem requires further assessment despite hopes he will be fit for selection.

Khawaja experienced back spasms during the Perth Test, forcing him from the field and resulting in batting order changes. The veteran batsman had never previously suffered similar injuries throughout his lengthy career.

Medical Assessment and Selection Plans For Usman Khawaja

McDonald outlined the planned medical review while speaking to reporters. “There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we sort of first anticipated. So we’ll work through that. We’ll get a squad together. We’ll step through everything that we normally step through,” McDonald said on Monday.

The coach expressed optimism about Khawaja’s availability while acknowledging the need for thorough evaluation. “We get to camp in six days’ time. It’s a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then, and hopefully Usman is fit and available for selection,” McDonald added.

McDonald dismissed suggestions that Khawaja’s age or pre-match golf sessions contributed to the injury. “These things can happen. And I don’t think you can join the dots to something around his age. I think it’s just one of those things that’s happened,” McDonald stated.

The batting order remains flexible after Perth’s reshuffle saw Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne open in the first innings, while Travis Head partnered Weatherald in the second. When asked about Head potentially maintaining an opening role after his match-winning century, McDonald indicated all options would be considered.

“We’ve got a lot to consider. Batting orders are always debated heavily over a period of time. Middle order players haven’t been sort of the ones that have been the popular ones to open the batting. So we’ll discuss and work through what it looks like,” McDonald concluded.

Australian players returned to their home cities following the two-day Perth Test and will reconvene six days before the Gabba day-night match begins on December 4.