Usman Khawaja latest: Worrying signs for Australian opener ahead of second Ashes Test – sportingnews.com

Kieran Francis
Usman Khawaja is still in doubt for Australia’s second Ashes Test against England after failing to train on Sunday.
The opening batter suffered from back spasms during the Aussie’s first Test win in Perth and was unable to bat in his usual position in both innings.
As a result Travis Head was promoted to opener in the second innings and his swashbuckling century guided Australia to victory inside two days.
Speculation has been building that Khawaja could be replaced by Head at the top of the order for the day-night second Test commencing in Brisbane on Thursday.
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And that decision could be taken out of selectors hands with Khawaja leaving training early on Sunday and wasn’t seen batting in the short time he was present, reports The Age.
Khawaja has courted plenty of controversy lately after reportedly playing golf in the three days leading up to the first Test, which he then struggled to participate in because of back spasms.
The 38-year-old hasn’t made a Test century since scoring a double ton against Sri Lanka in January, with his last 50 coming three weeks earlier in Sydney.
Following the Perth Test which was completed within two days – with 19 falling on the first day – Khawaja blamed the pitch after being dismissed for two off six balls.
“So day one wicket at (Perth) is a piece of s***, I’m happy to say that. It has been last year, it was this year,” Khawaja said at a lunch for the Usman Khawaja Foundation.
He continued: “Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit, that’s a great wicket – that seems real fair.
“The same thing happened last year in the Indian Test, it’s just that day one wicket, the ball just does not react.
“Steve Smith’s by far the best cricketer I’ve ever played with, and he’s missing the middle of his bat by a long way – he does not miss the middle of his bat. He’s getting hit in the elbow, he’s getting hit.”
Kieran Francis is a senior editor based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. His passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket — when he is not on holiday.

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