Michael Clarke Questions Usman Khawaja’s Recall for Adelaide Test

Michael Clarke suggests sticking with current openers despite Usman Khawaja’s fitness return.

The selection of Usman Khawaja for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide is under debate. Despite Australia’s 2-0 lead, former captain Michael Clarke is unsure if the experienced opener should return to the side.

Khawaja missed the Gabba Test with a back injury. In his absence, Travis Head partnered Jake Weatherald at the top. They put on an opening stand of 77, with Weatherald scoring a century.

Clarke believes the selectors will still recall Khawaja, but he personally would not make a change. He cited the current team’s dominant form and successful style of play.

“I think the selectors will pick him. I think he’ll be back at the top of the order. I don’t know if I would make a change, to be honest,” Clarke told ESPN’s Around The Wicket.

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Debate Over Usman Khawaja’s Best Role

Greg Blewett also argued for keeping the winning combination unchanged. “I’m keeping the batting order the same. I think that functioned really well up there for the second Test match so I’m not touching that.”

Khawaja’s recent Test average is 31.84 since the 2023 Ashes. One discussed option is him returning to the middle order, a position where he has previously succeeded.

Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw backed Khawaja’s flexibility. “Uzzy is a world-class player. He can slot in anywhere – he’s an unreal player of spin and can face fast bowling,” Renshaw told SEN Radio.

However, former batter Mike Hussey believes the original plan should stand. “If you think about it, before the Ashes series started, Khawaja was at the top of the order. Would that one innings change the whole mindset of the selectors? In my mind, no,” Hussey told News Corp.