Ashes 2025-26: Australia opener Khawaja ruled out of second Test
Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane later this week by a back problem, the team said on Tuesday.
Khawaja was unable to open either innings in the series opener in Perth because of back spasms and showed some discomfort on Monday in the nets at Brisbane’s Gabba ground, where the second Test starts on Thursday.
The 38-year-old will not be replaced in the squad, raising the likelihood that Travis Head will stay at the top of the order after his brilliant innings of 123 as a makeshift opener in Perth drove Australia to an eight-wicket victory.
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Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have both been used as openers in the nearly two years since David Warner retired, but the former said on Monday that neither would be reprising the role.
Khawaja will stay with the squad, the team said, keeping alive his hopes of extending his Test career past his 39th birthday next month.
Australia squad for 2nd Ashes Test
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Published on Dec 02, 2025
