Australia opening batsman Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes 2025-26 Test against England after failing to recover from back spasms. The left-handed batsman suffered an injury during the Perth Test and his absence forces the hosts to rethink their opening combination for the upcoming day-night match.
Khawaja did not open in the first and second innings of the first Test in Perth due to injury concerns. Travis Head was promoted to the top of the order, and the move benefited the home team. The left-handed batsman scored a match-winning century, helping them make a winning start to the five-match series.
Usman Khawaja ruled out of second Ashes Test due to back injury
Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday that Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane with a back injury. However, he will remain with the team to continue his rehabilitation and no replacement has been added for him.
“Usman Khawaja has been dropped [of the second] Ashes Test match against England in Brisbane due to a back injury,” read a statement from Cricket Australia on Tuesday afternoon.
“Khawaja will remain with the team to continue his rehabilitation. He has not been replaced in the squad.”
Australia will go into the second Ashes Test with another reshuffled opening pair as Usman Khawaja’s injury has forced the hosts to again rethink their top order.
With no replacements added to the squad, Travis Head is expected to once again step up and open, while Josh Inglis and all-rounder Beau Webster look to fill the void in the eleven. Webster can also provide additional bowling depth for the home team.
Meanwhile, England have finalized their lineup. With Mark Wood out, they have turned to off-spinning all-rounder Will Jacques, who will be playing his first Test in almost two years and the third of his career.
The rest of the guest side remains unchanged. England will be hoping to level the series by winning the upcoming day-night test.
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