Former Australia captain Michael Clarke remains unconvinced about the need to bring Usman Khawaja straight back into the XI for the Adelaide Test, even though he believes selectors will ultimately recall him.
Khawaja missed the Gabba Test after failing to recover from back spasms picked up in Perth. The injury forced him down to No. 4 in the first innings there, and he didn’t bat in the second. In his absence, Travis Head joined Jake Weatherald at the top, producing stands of 75 in Perth and 77 in Brisbane, partnerships that set a strong platform for Australia.
“I think the selectors will pick him,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around The Wicket. “He’ll probably return to the top of the order. I’m just not sure I’d make a change. Senior players at that age are usually picked for big tournaments like a World Cup or Ashes, and then their time is done.”
While Khawaja had been a key part of Australia’s plans, his form has dipped since the 2023 Ashes. He has averaged 31.84 with a single century in 45 innings during that period, raising questions about his long-term place.
There has been speculation about whether Khawaja could return in the middle order, a role where he scored twin hundreds at No. 5 during his 2022 comeback at the SCG, with coach Andrew McDonald noting that he “does have flexibility.”
But former Australia batter Mike Hussey believes the best option is straightforward: if Khawaja is fit, he should resume opening alongside Weatherald, exactly as originally planned.
“Before the Ashes, Khawaja was the opener,” Hussey told News Corp. “Would one innings change the selectors’ entire mindset? From being locked in for the Ashes to suddenly being out? No way. Pragmatically, that Perth Test wouldn’t change my thinking.”
