Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has hinted that Usman Khawaja could be considered for a middle-order role in the Adelaide Test after recovering from
the back spasms that kept him out of the Gabba match. His return sets up a significant selection debate for the third Test as Australia reassesses its batting structure.
Khawaja, who will turn 39 during the Adelaide fixture, could become the first Australian Test cricketer in 40 years to feature at that age. However, the impressive performances of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald at the top of the order have complicated the decision. Prior to this duo’s recent success, Australia managed only three half-century opening stands in their last 14 Tests since David Warner’s retirement, one of which involved Head and Khawaja in Sri Lanka.
"It worked at this point in time. Pink-ball Test at the Gabba, we felt like that combination was right for those conditions and the opposition. We will always ask ourselves the question of the selection table as we move in. At our strategy meetings, we'll continue to ask questions on what the best line-up is for that point in time. And we're taking this Test by Test,” said McDonald as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"The assumption is that Uzzie can only open as well. So I think that he does have the flexibility. And we like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order. So we've got a collective sort of group of batters there that as a series wears on, the opposition may create some different challenges for us. We're open to what it will look like for us moving forward,” he added.
Khawaja’s recent struggles have added another layer to Australia’s selection dilemma. His form has dipped sharply, averaging just 31.84 since the end of the 2023 Ashes, a significant slide from the consistency he showed earlier in the season for Queensland.
When Khawaja was recalled to the Test side in early 2022 during the Ashes in Australia, he slotted in at No. 5, replacing Head in the SCG Test after Head tested positive for Covid-19. That innings helped spark his remarkable career resurgence.
McDonald revealed that there has been no real consideration of sending Khawaja back to the middle order since then. Following Warner’s retirement in early 2024, Australia's focus was almost entirely on finding a long-term opening partner for Khawaja, a role that appeared set for Weatherald before Khawaja suffered back spasms in Perth.
"He's been a stable piece up there, so we haven't discussed moving him previously. But we're open to what the batting model would look like moving forward should there be any moving parts. Whether Trav opens, whether he goes back to the middle, that will all play out. We're taking it Test by Test,” said McDonald.
If Khawaja is brought back into the XI, it would likely come at the expense of Josh Inglis, who batted at No. 7 in the Gabba Test and managed an uncertain 23. Australia’s squad for the Adelaide Test is expected to be finalised on Wednesday. Pat Cummins is set to rejoin the group, with the captain likely returning to the XI after being added to the 14-member squad that featured in Brisbane.
