Follow UsVeteran opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of Australia’s second Test against England at the Gabba, owing to a back injury he picked up during the opening Test in Perth. Although he took a 30-minute session in the nets on Tuesday, Khawaja appeared uncomfortable and was deemed unfit for selection.
In Khawaja’s absence, Australia’s selectors are considering several options, with Josh Inglis and Beau Webster emerging as the leading contenders to open the innings in Brisbane.
Australia’s bench of openers has already been tested once: in the opening Test at Perth, Khawaja’s injury forced makeshift arrangements, with Labuschagne and then Head opening the batting. Head had delivered a match-winning 123-run knock off 69 balls in the first Test, powering Australia to an eight-wicket win.
The final decision on the Gabba opening pair is expected in the hours before the pink-ball clash begins.
The new-look Australian squad announced for the Gabba Test includes Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster.