ASHES: Usman Khawaja Ruled Out Of Brisbane Test Due To Back Injury

 Udaipur, Dec 02, 2025: Australia will have to field a new opening pair in the second Test of the Ashes 2025-26 after veteran Usman Khawaja was ruled out of the match. The 38-year-old opening batter could not recover from the back spasm he suffered during the first Test of the series.

Khawaja batted for 30 minutes during the net session on Monday but appeared uncomfortable during the drills, raising doubts about his fitness ahead of the Brisbane Test. Considering that the left-handed batter was not fully fit, Cricket Australia decided two days before the match that he would not play.

With Khawaja missing the game, Australia may have to try a third opening combination in as many innings of the series. He was unable to open the innings in either innings of the first Test.

Australia to Adjust Opening Pair; England Make One Change

Australia sent Marnus Labuschagne as a makeshift opener in the first innings of the opening Test, alongside debutant Jake Weatherald. In the second innings, Travis Head replaced Labuschagne in the opening slot. With no direct replacement named for the left-handed batter, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster are likely contenders for the opening position in the playing XI.

England have announced their playing XI for the second Test, with Will Jacks replacing Mark Wood. Wood has been rested to manage his workload for the remainder of the series, while Jacks adds both batting depth and a spin option to the side.

Khawaja’s Test Career

Usman Khawaja has scored 6,055 runs in his Test career at an average of 43.56, including 16 centuries and 27 half-centuries. Against England, he has accumulated 1,380 runs at an average of 39.42, with four centuries.