Australian cricket selectors face a major dilemma ahead of the second Ashes Test, with veteran opener Usman Khawaja no longer guaranteed his spot even if declared fit, following Travis Head's spectacular century as an emergency replacement.
Selection Headache After Head's Heroics
Coach Andrew McDonald has failed to provide any assurance that Khawaja will automatically return for the pink-ball Test at the Gabba, despite the 38-year-old being a mainstay of the batting lineup. The uncertainty stems from Travis Head's match-winning performance of 123 runs while opening the batting for the first time in a Test on Australian soil.
Khawaja struggled with back spasms during the series opener in Perth, managing just two runs batting at number four in the first innings before leaving the field and not returning. His fitness remains under assessment after returning to Brisbane for further medical investigation.
"I'm not sure where he's at, medically," McDonald stated when asked if a fit Khawaja would definitely play. "There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we first anticipated."
Khawaja's Form and Fitness Concerns
The selection decision is complicated by Khawaja's recent form and the nature of his injury. The left-hander, who will turn 39 in December, has averaged 27.44 over the past two years and experienced a difficult first Test beyond just the back issue.
During England's second innings, Khawaja dropped a regulation catch in slips that would have dismissed dangerous wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for a duck. He left the field shortly after and wasn't spotted for the remainder of the match.
Questions were also raised about Khawaja's preparation after Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg defended the opener playing golf in the three days leading into the series opener. While Khawaja entered the match without injury, back spasms developed only hours into day one and worsened throughout the contest.
Bowling Decisions Loom for Gabba Test
Australia's selection challenges extend beyond the batting order, with several bowling decisions to be made ahead of the day-night Test in Brisbane.
Star quick Josh Hazlewood appears unlikely to play at the Gabba after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury, though McDonald denied the issue would sideline him for the entire series.
Captain Pat Cummins is making a strong case to return for the second Test beginning on December 4, creating competition among the pace bowlers after Mitchell Starc's 10-wicket haul in Perth, Brendan Doggett's five scalps on debut, and Scott Boland's improved second innings performance.
Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, who bowled just two overs in Perth, could potentially be rested for the pink-ball Test, though McDonald cautioned against assuming pace would dominate. "If you looked at Australian pink-ball cricket in general terms, the middle sessions have been quite benign, and Nathan's done a lot of work there," the coach explained.
With Australia leading the series 1-0, selectors have the luxury of taking a cautious approach with player fitness, though Head's spectacular performance as opener has created what many would consider a welcome selection headache.
