Usman Khawaja's nagging back injury is putting a real damper on Australia's Ashes dreams, leaving fans anxious as the second Test at the Gabba looms just three days away. Will their star opener be ready to take on England in this pivotal home clash, or will it force a tough call on the team's lineup?
The seasoned batsman isn't quite back to his peak physical condition yet, but he's determined to feature in this iconic Ashes encounter on his home turf. Last week, during the opening match of the NRMA Insurance series against England in Perth, Khawaja experienced back spasms for the very first time in his career—a setback that sidelined him from batting in the fourth innings. Fast forward to Monday afternoon, and he finally got back on the field for a rigorous fitness assessment at the Gabba, marking his initial practice session since the injury struck.
While captain Pat Cummins was making solid progress in his own recovery from a similar lower-back problem, showing encouraging signs in the nets, all eyes were on Khawaja. Medical experts kept a close watch from a nearby practice area as he underwent the test. For beginners unfamiliar with cricket training, this 'net session' is like a controlled batting practice where players face deliveries in a enclosed area to sharpen their skills without the full pressure of a match.
The 38-year-old veteran kicked things off with some gentle running exercises on the Gabba's outfield, gradually building up intensity. Then came about 30 minutes in the nets under the pink ball— that's the special ball used in day-night Tests for better visibility under lights, adding an extra layer of challenge. Khawaja only faced throw-downs from assistant coach Michael Di Venuto; these are essentially underarm feeds of the ball to help batters practice shots without the speed of a bowler's delivery. He unleashed a flurry of sharp pull shots on the uneven practice pitches, which mimic real match conditions to test adaptability.
At times, you could see the discomfort etched on his face, especially after those bigger swings. But here's where it gets interesting—despite the grimaces, he moved fluidly between shots, smoothly bending to retrieve balls, and even dodged a nasty short-pitched bouncer with quick reflexes. That agility suggests his lower back is starting to cooperate again, which is a huge relief for the team. Interestingly, even after the team doctor, Leigh Golding, seemed to signal it was time to wrap up, Khawaja kept going for another 10 minutes. Talk about grit! It really highlights how badly he wants to suit up for this game.
The Australian camp isn't rushing any decisions on whether he'll play. They'll keep a keen eye on how he recovers from this session and expect him to push hard in the main training on Tuesday, and maybe Wednesday as well. For context, in high-stakes series like the Ashes, fitness calls can swing the momentum—remember how injuries have derailed teams in past editions? Captain Steve Smith was right there, scrutinizing every move, and afterward, the medical team huddled with coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey. Khawaja's warm-up included several 40-meter sprints that ramped up in speed, plus lateral agility drills to ensure all-around mobility.
If Khawaja isn't cleared or gets rested, the backups are Beau Webster and Josh Inglis from the 14-man squad. Webster, who missed out on the first Test due to a selection squeeze, might slot back in if the team tweaks the batting order—perhaps shifting players around to accommodate his middle-order strengths. Inglis, on the other hand, proved his opening chops by smashing a century against the England Lions in a warm-up game in Perth last week, showing he could step up to the top of the order seamlessly.
But let's be real—Khawaja's experience is gold for the hosts. Since rejoining the Test side four years back, he's been Australia's top run-scorer in the format, and he's the only one in the current squad who's featured in all three of the Gabba's prior pink-ball day-night Tests. That institutional knowledge, especially at a fortress like the Gabba where Australia rarely loses, can't be underestimated. And this is the part most people miss: his calm presence at the top has stabilized the innings through turbulent times.
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's number three, couldn't praise Khawaja enough when chatting with reporters before training. 'Usman is a top-tier talent,' he said. 'Just check his stats—what he's achieved for Aussie cricket since his comeback has been phenomenal. He's been that steady anchor up front, super reliable.' Labuschagne touched on the chatter about Khawaja's rotating opening partners over the years, a nod to the instability that's plagued Australia's top order. But he stayed neutral on selection: 'I'm no selector; that's for the bosses to decide what's best to clinch this series. We take it match by match, figuring out the strongest XI to get the win.'
Turning 39 later this month, Khawaja hasn't hinted at retirement plans, but imagine the poetic justice of bowing out at the SCG—the Sydney Cricket Ground—in the series finale, right in his hometown by the harbor. It'd be a fairy-tale end to a storied career. Labuschagne emphasized team priorities when quizzed on a possible farewell: 'The squad always comes first.' He added, 'Sure, others have gotten emotional send-offs before, but Usman's been a legend—85 Tests, averaging over 43 worldwide. With 43 first-class tons, he's seen it all. Switching from middle order to opener? He's handled it masterfully, tackling tough spots like a pro.'
Meanwhile, Cummins looked sharp, sending down two quick spells in the nets after batting sessions on Sunday and Monday. As the regular captain, he's not in the squad for this Test, with a comeback eyed for the third in Adelaide—giving him time to build confidence.
But here's where it gets controversial: Should a player like Khawaja risk playing through pain in such a heated rivalry, potentially shortening his career, or is it worth it for the Ashes glory? Some argue it's heroic; others say it's reckless, especially at his age. What do you think—push through or prioritize long-term health? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you'd select him or give a youngster a shot!
For the full 2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes schedule:
First Test: Australia won by eight wickets (details at cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21888).
Second Test: December 4-8, The Gabba, Brisbane (day-night), starting 3pm AEDT (cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21889).
Third Test: December 17-21, Adelaide Oval, 10:30am AEDT (cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21890).
Fourth Test: December 26-30, MCG, Melbourne, 10:30am AEDT (cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21891).
Fifth Test: January 4-8, SCG, Sydney, 10:30am AEDT (cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21892).
Australia's squad for the second Test: Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England's squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.
