Australia suffered a big setback on Tuesday (December 2) when it was confirmed that star opening batter Usman Khawaja will miss the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series against England due to a back injury. The second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series will be a day-night affair and is set to be played with a pink ball at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4 to 8.
Due to injury, Khawaja didn’t come out to bat for the Baggy Greens in the second innings of the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22, and in his absence Travis Head opened the innings in the 205-run chase.
The left-handed batter who scored a century in 69 balls for the Steve Smith-led side is expected to open the innings for the hosts again in the second Test starting
on Thursday, December 4.
According to cricket.com.au, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and all-rounder Beau Webster are both in mix to return to Australia’s playing XI for the second Test after the Aussies ruled out Khawaja but did not replace him in the squad.
Khawaja, who will turn 39 in December 2025, had a 30-minute hit in the Gabba practice nets on Tuesday but the left-handed batter, who has more than 3000 runs to his credit in World Test Championship (WTC), appeared in discomfort at times and has not recovered well enough to be available for selection for the match.
Australia squad for 2nd Test: Steve Smith (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (WK), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has indicated that his team could take a hybrid approach to their batting order with positions changing depending on the prevailing conditions.
Inglis, who made a Test century for Australia in Sri Lanka earlier this year, is also an option for the opening batter role. He scored a century for Cricket Australia XI last week against England Lions and could partner Jake Weatherald at the top in the Brisbane Test if the hosts decide to protect Head.
