Usman Khawaja Ruled Out of Gabba Test as Injury Sparks Fresh Concerns

Usman Khawaja has been scratched from the Brisbane Test after his battle with back spasms dragged on longer than anyone inside the camp expected. He tried a brief net on Tuesday. Thirty minutes, a few careful prods, then a quiet walk back. You could see the disappointment written on his face. 

The news update raises a bigger question. What comes next for him? He will stay with the squad to continue rehab, although the selectors chose not to call in a replacement. That one moment changes everything for the Australian lineup. 

Travis Head now steps into the opening role again. His 123 off 83 in Perth was wild, almost reckless, but it sparked life into a flat innings. His innings there confirmed him as the leading option to replace Khawaja at the top.

Selection Puzzle Ahead

Josh Inglis and Beau Webster remain spare batting choices. Inglis arrives with runs behind him, fresh from a century against England Lions. Webster, unlucky to miss the Perth XI, waits patiently. 

Khawaja’s injury removes an experienced batter from Australia’s top order and reshapes their planning for the Gabba. The team will finalise its XI closer to the start, with only the enforced change expected.