All eyes are on Usman Khawaja’s fitness as he attempts to hold his place as Test opener – and keep his career going – ahead of his home contest at the Gabba.
But it was Steve Smith’s eyes that drew the most attention at Sunday evening’s training session.
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CONCERNING UZZIE SIGHT AMID OPENER REPORT
Usman Khawaja made an appearance at Australia’s first training session ahead of the Gabba Test but left early.
The Age reports the opener, who left the first Test injured, did not bat and then departed.
It’s a less-than-ideal sight given Khawaja is battling for his career after struggling in the first innings against England in Perth, then failing to bat in the second innings, due to back spasms.
“I had anti-inflammatories, real strong ones, was on really strong painkillers … and I got myself to a place where I could actually field again,” Khawaja said.
“Before I went on, the physio said, ‘You’re feeling good now but the slightest movement can make it three times, four times, 10 times worse, you should know that’s a risk’.
“I was like, ‘I either do that or I don’t open for my country’.”
He then re-injured his back while jumping for a ball.
“As I landed, I was like, ‘Oh no, I’m gone here’,” Khawaja said.
“I had to call (Australian wicketkeeper Alex) Carey over and I was like, ‘I can’t stand up’.
“I walked off the field, and I was pretty devastated.”
Despite the concerns Code Sports reports Khawaja is a “slight favourite” to hold his spot as opener if he’s passed fit for Friday.
Travis Head, who scored a magnificent century as a makeshift opener in Perth, wasn’t willing to go as far as saying he wants the job on Sunday. But he agreed with his captain Pat Cummins that defined batting orders are overrated.
“I’m happy if that is what’s needed to win a Test match. If that is what’s required I’m fine with it,” Head said.
“With batting orders and Test cricket I am a player who can play any role. I am open to it.”
He continued: “I agree with Pat. I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways. I agree with Pat that they are slightly overrated but the traditionalists will say that is how it has got to be.
“That’s where the game is going. and when do you use that.’’
SMITH’S NFL TACTIC TO SOLVE PINK-BALL WOES
Australian acting captain Steve Smith looks set to borrow from American sport for the second Test as he looks to overcome an issue spotting the pink ball.
Smith, who now lives in New York, was spotted donning strips of eye black during the hosts’ first training session heading into the Gabba day-night contest.
He batted with the eye black on in the nets having previously explained before a 2024 pink-ball Test he struggles to see the pink ball during daylight.
“It is always a challenge batting under lights when the ball is new, it is always difficult,” Smith said.
“I find with the pink ball batting at night is probably easier to see the ball … in the day I find it more difficult to see.”
While the TV show Mythbusters is not exactly a peer-reviewed report, one episode found eye black doesn’t reduce glare but does help athletes tell the difference between light and dark, particularly important for tracking objects when it’s bright.
