Will Usman Khawaja be available for 2nd Ashes Test?
What's the story
Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that the team's medical staff will be looking into Usman Khawaja's back spasm. The investigation comes as a precautionary measure, given that this is the first time in his long career that Khawaja has experienced such an injury. He was unable to open in both innings of the record-breaking Ashes opener in Perth and only batted once, and he dropped a catch at slip before leaving the field in England's second innings.
Age debate
McDonald dismisses age as factor in Khawaja's injury
Despite the back spasm, McDonald isn't convinced that Khawaja's age is a contributing factor. The 38-year-old cricketer had played 54 holes of golf over three days before the Test match, something he has done before without any issues. "These things can happen," McDonald said as per ESPNcricinfo. "And I don't think you can join the dots to something around his age."
Order debate
Australia's batting order under scrutiny after Head's performance
McDonald has also admitted that the selectors have "a lot to consider" when it comes to the team's batting order. This comes after Travis Head's stellar second-innings performance, where he scored 123 off just 83 balls. "Batting orders are always debated heavily over a period of time," McDonald said, hinting at possible changes in light of recent performances.
Opening prospects
Head's potential role as opener
McDonald also hinted at the possibility of Head opening in future matches. "We've had a conversation around Travis opening the batting for a long period of time," he said. This comes after Head's match-winning century at No. 5 in Australia's first innings during last year's pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Notably, the second Test is a Day-Night affair, which will get underway on December 4 at the The Gabba, Brisbane.