David Warner has suggested Usman Khawaja could bat down the order – rather than be axed – so Travis Head can remain at the top in the second Ashes Test. But the reality is the Aussies might be forced to go without Khawaja – and he might not be the only big-name star facing the axe.
Pat Cummins has revealed he’s a fairly good chance to play the day-night match at the Gabba, and the Aussie captain’s return from a back issue would mean one of the bowlers misses out. The easy option would be drop one-gamer Brendan Doggett, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility that Nathan Lyon could be axed.
The off-spinner bowled just two overs in the first Test in Perth, as the seamers were treated to some fast and bouncy conditions. Just like we saw at times last summer, Lyon was rather irrelevant due to the pace-friendly conditions on offer.
David Warner (L) believes Usman Khawaja could bat down the order, with he and Nathan Lyon (R) both facing pressure for the second Ashes Test. Image: Getty
With a pink-ball Test coming up, it might make perfect sense to go all-out pace and leave Lyon out. In last year’s day-nighter against India, Lyon bowled just one over for the whole match. Spin rarely plays much of a factor in pink-ball Tests, and it could mean Lyon watches on from the sidelines.
The Aussie selectors have shown they’re not against dropping Lyon, after they left him out of the third Test in the West Indies in July. If Cummins is fit to play in Brisbane, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an Australian bowling attack of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Doggett.
Josh Hazlewood appears unlikely to play due to the hamstring injury that kept him out of the first Test. There’s even some suggestions he might miss the entire series in a devastating blow.
David Warner says Usman Khawaja could bat down the order
As for Khawaja, his “good mate” Warner admitted he’s inadvertently left the door open for Head to take his spot at the top of the order for the rest of the series. Khawaja didn’t open the batting in either innings in Perth because of a back issue, and Head grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
The South Australian blasted 123 off 83 balls to guide Australia to victory in the fourth innings with one of the great Ashes knocks. The selectors will surely find it hard to move him back to No.5, and Warner believes Khawaja could find himself down the order instead.
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Khawaja has batted at No.5 twice in his Test career, and actually averages 238 there with two centuries. Warner said on Fox Cricket after the match: “[Head] could be that match for (Jake) Weatherald, and Uzzie could do down the order the next Test match or if he missed out due to injury.
“Obviously he’s a very, very close friend on mine, (but) at the end of the day, reality can hit. These little misfortunes here with his back, it can put the dampener on that and give the opportunity to someone else. (But) I still think he plays the next Test match.
“Can Travis Head open down the track? We were thinking about that in 2022-23 but at that time we didn’t have that person down the middle to take it on, so that’s why Travis Head was there.”
Nathan Lyon and Usman Khawaja have a combined 225 matches of Test experience between them. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Cricket world divided over Usman Khawaja dilemma
As Warner mentioned, the selectors’ hand might be forced if Khawaja can’t play due to his back injury. If Khawaja doesn’t play, Beau Webster could come into the middle order with Head remaining at the top.
Speaking on SEN radio, former Test opener Simon Katich said it would be a “step backwards” if Head doesn’t continue to open. Katich also pointed out that Marnus Labuschagne seemed to bat more positively because of the way Head played.
“He was able to play a lot more freely, and we saw the best version of Marnus Labuschagne because of what Travis Head has done,” Katich said. “I think Australia would be taking a step backward if they were to stop Travis Head opening.”
Ian Healy and Brad Haddin have both agreed with Warner that Khawaja will play if he’s fit. But it’s a very real possibility that both he and Nathan Lyon – with a combined 225 Tests between them – could miss out.