Mitchell Starc has clarified the confusion surrounding Australia’s shuffled batting order on day one of the first Ashes Test in Perth, explaining that Usman Khawaja’s sudden back spasm left the team scrambling for a solution.
Khawaja, 38, left the field twice during England’s innings and, under cricket’s playing conditions, could not bat in his usual opening slot until he had served the required time on the sidelines. He eventually walked in after the second wicket fell, just minutes after Marnus Labuschagne chopped on for nine, but contributed only two runs before edging Brydon Carse behind.
The delay forced debutant Jake Weatherald into an unexpectedly high-pressure moment. With Labuschagne promoted to open in Khawaja’s absence, the left-handed Weatherald took strike on debut. His stay lasted only two balls, trapped lbw by a sharp Jofra Archer inswinger that immediately put Australia on the back foot.
By stumps, Australia were in serious trouble at 123 for 9, still trailing England by 49 runs after a collapse that amplified the intensity of the opening day.
Speaking after play, Starc admitted the team had barely any notice of Khawaja’s injury concern.
“I didn’t know about it until the ninth wicket, when he still had maybe 10 minutes or so,” he said. “Because he’d spent time off the field. I think he had a back spasm the second time he came off, we got caught off guard a little bit with the wickets falling quickly at the back end.”
Starc labelled the situation “unfortunate” and hoped Khawaja would be fit for day two. “He’ll manage that overnight and see how we’re at tomorrow,” he added, hinting that Australia might face more uncertainty if the opener’s back issue persists.
With England controlling the opening exchanges, Australia now face a critical second day as they look to regain momentum in a match that has already tested their depth and adaptability.
