Australia, led by Steve Smith, have been sweating over Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon carrying minor injuries during the first Ashes 2025-26 Test match against England at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Khawaja walked off the field again, leaving Australia likely to field a temporary opener in the second innings.
England looked steady at 65-1 before Scott Boland sparked a collapse by taking three wickets in the space of 11 balls. Mitchell Starc then completed his third ten-wicket haul, and the visitors crashed to 88-6 before Jamie Smith also departed. They were bowled out for 164, setting a target of 204 for the Australia team.
Usman Khawaja’s back troubles resurfaced during Australia’s innings, forcing him to leave the field when the visitors were struggling at 6 for 104 in the 27th over.
Mark Howard stated that Khawaja could “barely get into a jog” as he made his way off the ground, while Michael Hussey added that the opener appeared to be in significant discomfort.
“He is not moving well Usman Khawaja is he? In fact he is leaving the ground here,” Fox Cricket's Mark Howard said.
“You’re right he looks really sore," Michael Hussey responded.
“He can’t even get up to a gallop to get off the field, which doesn’t bode well for a man that has got to open the batting in a tense run chase, he does not look good. The physio needs to earn his money and get him going," Howard continued.
USMAN GOES OFF AGAIN ?Australia looks likely to have to field a temporary opener AGAIN in the second innings, as injury concerns grow for Usman Khawaja once more.DETAILS >> t.co/h7Tdw2z89w pic.twitter.com/5DPHVQNKtd
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 22, 2025Usman Khawaja Did Not Open for Australia in the First Innings
Usman Khawaja did not open for Australia in the first innings in Perth. Khawaja spent long spells off the field receiving treatment for back spasms during England’s innings on Friday.
Under ICC rules, any player who leaves the field must spend the same amount of time back on the field before becoming eligible to bat. England’s dramatic lower-order collapse happened while Khawaja was still making up his required time.
Khawaja was available to open the innings, but debutant Jake Weatherald walked out with Marnus Labuschagne, while Steve Smith slotted in at No. 3. Khawaja batted at No. 4 but managed only two runs before Brydon Carse dismissed him.
Notably, the 38-year-old had skipped Thursday’s optional training session to play golf. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg clarified that Khawaja’s back stiffness was an existing issue.
Travis Head Opens With Jake Weatherald in Australia’s Second Innings
Australia began their second innings with a new opening pair, as Travis Head walked out alongside debutant Jake Weatherald. With Usman Khawaja once again unable to bat at the top, the Australians were forced into another reshuffle. Marnus Labuschagne had been promoted in the first innings.
Head opened the innings in a Test for the 10th time, and he did so for the first time on Australian soil. All his previous nine outings as a Test opener came in subcontinent conditions.
Across the five Tests played at Perth Stadium, no side has ever managed to successfully chase a target in the final innings. The West Indies scored the highest fourth-innings score at the venue with 333 in 2022, while Pakistan recorded the lowest when they were dismissed for 89 in 2023.
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