Australian cricket fans have been delivered a significant shock with veteran opener Usman Khawaja left out of the team for the crucial third Ashes Test in Adelaide, casting a major shadow over the future of his decorated career.
Selection Shake-Up for Crucial Adelaide Clash
Just two days before his 39th birthday, Khawaja was the notable omission when captain Pat Cummins confirmed the playing eleven on Tuesday morning. The decision means Travis Head will remain at the top of the order alongside Jake Weatherald, while the entire top seven batting lineup is unchanged from the previous match.
Khawaja missed the Brisbane Test due to back spasms and, despite batting in an optional net session on Tuesday, his exclusion from the Adelaide fixture suggests a steep path back into the side. Notably, he did not face a new ball during that session, potentially indicating any future return might be considered for a middle-order role.
Coach Defends Veteran Amid Retirement Speculation
Australia's coach, Andrew McDonald, moved quickly to hose down suggestions that Khawaja's time is up, insisting it is premature to write off the seasoned campaigner. McDonald pointed to Khawaja's dominant Sheffield Shield record as proof he remains a formidable force.
"He's had one back injury in his whole career, so I think that's an overreaction to correlate that to the age of the athlete," McDonald told SEN radio. "His Shield numbers are incredibly good comparative to everyone else... Every time he drops back to that level he dominates."
The coach emphasised the team's philosophy of not putting "end dates" on players, pushing back against the growing narrative surrounding Khawaja's future.
Series Victory and Khawaja's Crossroads
For the Australian team, the focus is squarely on securing the Ashes series at the Adelaide Oval this week. A victory inside four days would see them retain the famous urn in the quickest time in over a century.
For Usman Khawaja, however, the outlook is more uncertain. Since his spectacular recall to the Test team at the start of 2022, he has enjoyed one of the great late-career resurgences, averaging an impressive 58.7 in his first two years back. However, form has dipped, with the left-hander passing fifty only twice in his past 27 Test innings.
In other team news, Cummins and star spinner Nathan Lyon return to the bowling attack, replacing Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser. Josh Inglis retains his place at number seven, and former captain Steve Smith, who missed Monday's training due to illness, is confirmed to play after batting in the nets on Tuesday.
Australia's XI for the third Ashes Test is: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
