Reports out of the Sydney Morning Herald have revealed that Usman Khawaja played 18 holes of golf on Thursday instead of attending an optional training day ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth.
The frustration there is not that the 38-year-old missed the practice session, it’s that he was not able to open the batting for Australia due to back spasms that saw him off the field for too long in the first innings.
Because Australia bowled England out so quickly, Khawaja had spent too much time stretching out his back in the stands, that he was not allowed to open the batting, forcing a returning Marnus Labuschagne into the fire.
Then Jake Weatherald gets removed for a duck immediately and still not enough time has passed to allow Khawaja to bat, forcing Steve Smith into the fray in the first over.
Labuschagne and Smith fought hard against the new ball in tough conditions, but both fell in quick succession, with Khawaja coming to the crease at 2/28, batting at four.
On commentary, his former opening partner David Warner was immediately aware something was wrong with Khawaja, just by watching him walk to the crease from the dugout.
The back spasms were clearly plaguing him, likely created or exacerbated by playing 18 holes of golf on Thursday, and Khawaja was dismissed for two off six balls.
Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith playing golf in January of 2024. Getty
All of a sudden, Australia is 4/31. Smith and Labuschagne are already gone thanks in part to Khawaja not being able to open the batting, and the man himself went cheaply shortly after.
He can at least take solace knowing he apparently won the golf tournament at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in a field containing Scott Boland, Mitch Starc and Aussie coaches.
Obviously the golf didn’t affect Starc’s game, given his seven-wicket haul in the first innings.
Naturally however when you’re 38 and you play 18 holes of golf the day before being thrown into the fire of an Ashes Test and you can’t perform your duties because of back spasms, you’re fair game for heavy criticism. Particularly when you haven’t been in good form yourself of late.
Especially when it unsettles teammates and puts them in a worse position.
Now the Aussies find themselves fighting an uphill battle in Perth, potentially wasting Starc’s incredible bowling effort earlier on Friday.
Usman Khawaja of Australia looks on during day one of the First 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match. Getty