The glittering Test career of Usman Khawaja hangs in the balance after the veteran Australian opener was omitted from the side for the crucial third Ashes match in Adelaide.
A Birthday Omission for a Veteran
In a move that could signal the end of an era, Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed the team's XI on Tuesday morning, with Khawaja's name notably absent. The decision comes just two days before the left-hander celebrates his 39th birthday. Khawaja missed the Brisbane Test due to back spasms and has now been left out in favour of retaining the top order that secured victory there, with Travis Head partnering Jake Weatherald at the top.
The bowling attack sees the expected returns of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, replacing Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser. The rest of the top seven batting lineup remains unchanged, meaning wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis continues at number seven.
Questions Mount Over Future
For Khawaja, this exclusion raises profound questions about his international future. Since his remarkable recall to the Test side at the start of 2022, the 38-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular late-career resurgence, averaging an impressive 58.7 in his first two years back. However, his form has dipped noticeably, with only two scores over fifty in his last 27 Test innings.
His preparation for the series also came under intense scrutiny. Khawaja was widely criticised by fans and pundits for playing three consecutive days of golf immediately before the first Test in Perth, where he subsequently suffered the back injury that ruled him out of opening the batting.
Despite batting in an optional net session on Tuesday, Khawaja did not face a new ball, a possible indication that any route back into the side might now be in the middle order, rather than his familiar opening berth.
Management Defends Stalwart
Australia's coach, Andrew McDonald, pushed back against suggestions that Khawaja's age or recent injury should spell the end, stating it would be "premature to write Khawaja off". He pointed to the batsman's dominant Sheffield Shield record as evidence he remains a force at domestic level.
"His Shield numbers are incredibly good comparative to everyone else," McDonald told SEN radio. "Every time he drops back to that level he dominates... he is at the top of the pecking order." He emphasised the team's policy of not putting "end dates on people."
Meanwhile, former captain Steve Smith, who missed Monday's training due to illness, batted first in the nets on Tuesday and is confirmed to play. Australia can secure the Ashes series win at the Adelaide Oval this week, and would retain the Urn in record time if they win inside four days.
Australia's XI for the third Ashes Test: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
