Australia announce squad for Ashes 2025-26 2nd Test; star batter ruled out with injury

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the pink-ball Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, beginning on December 4. The 38-year-old has been sidelined due to the back injury sustained during the opening match in Perth.

Khawaja was bizarrely restricted to open in the first innings of the series opener due to spending more time off the field when England were bowled out. Coming in at No. 4, he struggled before Brydon Carse got the better of him for 2. It also emerged that the southpaw had flared his back while fielding at the slip cordon.

Seamer Scott Boland told reporters, as quoted by cricket.com.au:

"It's hard, because he's put in a lot of work since the last game just trying to get his body right but he hasn't come up unfortunately. I thought he looked pretty good in the nets, but he must have thought in himself that he wasn't ready to go."

Khawaja underwent a fitness test in Brisbane and was not cleared for selection. Beau Webster and Josh Inglis are in contention to replace Khawaja in the line-up as Australia target a 2-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 against England.

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Travis Head floored England with a whirlwind 123 to give Australia a 1-0 series lead

Travis Head celebrates his ton. (Credits: Getty)

With Usman Khawaja not opening in the second innings too, Australia sent Travis Head alongside Jake Weatherald in pursuit of 205. The southpaw played aggressively from the outset, notably bringing up his fifty off only 36 deliveries.

Head's opening stand of 75 with Weatherald set up the game, and he reached his hundred in just 67 balls. Head also added another 117 runs with Marnus Labuschagne as the Aussies won within two days.

It remains to be seen if the hosts stick with Head at the top, especially with Khawaja finding himself out of the Test.