Usman Khawaja has slammed the Perth pitch while revealing the extent of his injury struggles during Australia’s first Ashes Test victory. It comes amid reports Aussie skipper Pat Cummins could be a shock call-up for the second Test, despite being left out of the initial 14-player squad as he recovers from a back injury.
Khawaja – who had back issues of his own in Perth – described the pitch for the first Test as ‘piece of sh*t after 19 wickets fell on the opening day. It came after 17 wickets fell on day one at Optus Stadium during last year’s Test series against India.
Australia captain Pat Cummins (L) could make an unlikely return for the second Ashes Test, while Usman Khawaja (R) has revealed the extent of his injury struggles in Perth. Pic: AAP/Getty
“Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit. That’s a great wicket, that seems real fair,” Khawaja sarcastically told media on Friday. “The same thing happened last year in the India Test. It’s just that day-one wicket, the ball just does not react… So day-one wicket at Perth is a piece of sh*t… Has been last year, it was this year.”
Khawaja’s swipe came just a day after the ICC gave the Perth wicket full marks with its highest possible rating of “very good”. Khawaja faced just six balls after being dismissed for two on the opening day, having failed to open the batting due to back spasms.
He also failed to open in Australia’s second innings when Travis Head’s stunning century fired Australia to a historic victory inside two days. Khawaja has since opened up on the extent of the back injury, and revealed he was desperate to play through the pain and open in the second innings.
Usman Khawaja (centre) walks from the ground after Australia’s incredible victory over England on day two of the first Ashes Test in Perth. Pic: Getty
“I knew the only way I could open for the team again, I had to go on the field,” Khawaja said. “I had anti-inflammatories, real strong ones, was on really strong pain killers… and I got myself to a place where I could actually field again.
“Before I went on, the physio said, ‘You’re feeling good now but the slightest movement can make it three times, four times, 10 times worse, you should know that’s a risk’. I was like, ‘I either do that or I don’t open for my country’.”
Khawaja then reaggravated the issue while jumping to try and stop an England boundary. The 38-year-old said he ‘couldn’t stand up’ and was ‘devastated’ to have to leave the field. But Khawaja said he was prepared to get an epidural in his back in order to bat in the second innings, before Head’s match-winning 69-ball century meant he didn’t have to.
“I’m really glad that we got (the match) done that night, because the next day, I already had the radiology booked … I was going to get an epidural in my back, so I can actually move somewhat,” Khawaja said. “I had it booked in, ready to go, so if the team needed me, I was there again.” Khawaja is hoping to be right for the second Test starting on December 4 in Brisbane.
Pat Cummins still a chance to be called up for second Test
It’s understood Aussie skipper Cummins is also pushing for inclusion, despite being left out of the second Test squad. Cummins is in the final stages of his recovery from a lumbar back stress injury, but spent a little over an hour bowling with a pink ball to Steve Smith in the SCG nets on Friday morning, boosting hopes of a shock inclusion for the day-night Test.
Pat Cummins spent time bowling in the nets with the pink ball on Friday, boosting his hopes of returning for the second Ashes Test. Pic: Getty
Cummins has not yet been cleared to return but will travel with the Australian squad to Brisbane next week. And while it would be unconventional, there’s nothing stopping Australia making him a late inclusion in the second Test team.
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Fellow quick Brendan Doggett – who impressed on his Test debut with five wickets in Perth – seems the most likely to drop out if Cummins returns. Selectors also have a big call to make on their opener, with Head’s first Test heroics and Khawaja’s back issues giving them plenty to think about. All-rounder Beau Webster and in-form wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis are options to come into the middle order if Head opens.
with agencies