The Ashes 2025-26: "It is not in my control"- Fit again Usman Khawaja uncertain over his selection for Adelaide test after Travis Head's success as opener

Usman Khawaja missed the second test of The Ashes 2025-26 due to a back spasm.

Australian Cricket Team opener Usman Khawaja said that he is 100 per cent fit and ready to play in the third test against England Cricket Team in the ongoing The Ashes 2025-26. However, he also added that the selectors will take a final call on his addition to the team in the next encounter, which is scheduled to commence on December 17 at Adelaide Oval.

The left-handed batsman suffered a back spasm in the opening game at Optus Stadium in Perth, due to which he was ruled out of the field midway. He was also halted from batting in the first innings as per the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules, as he did not spend enough time on the field.

Due to his back injury, he did not feature in the second test at The Gabba in Brisbane, where Jake Weatherald and Travis Head grabbed the opening slots for the hosts. Khawaja’s ouster has not affected Australia’s batting might in the campaign so far, as they have won both games with comfort.

I’m feeling 100% fit: Usman Khawaja ahead of Adelaide test

Khawaja has been undergoing rehabilitation for his back issues and is gearing up to make a comeback to the side in the Adelaide clash. During a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo, the veteran Australian batter said that he is completely fit to participate in the next game, however, the selectors will take a final call over his inclusion in the playing XI.

“Obviously hope to play. I don’t really know. Obviously, it’s not my decision. The older I’ve got, the more comfortable I’ve got with things that I can control and things that I haven’t. I feel really good in terms of I’m ready to go. The rest of it is not in my control. So, yeah, we’ll see what happens,” he said.

“I’m feeling 100%. So unless something else [happens], but I felt 100% before Perth, too. It’s just one of those things. I’ve done everything. That’s why I was training all last week. I was just doing rehab, which sucks because when you get injured, you have to do more, right,” the Australia opener added.

“I’ve had a fair bit of load, but it’s obviously what I wanted to just get as much as possible and I’m running at 100% again and again. So everything’s feeling pretty good again,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Khawaja got out cheaply for two runs in the lone innings he batted in the Perth test. Head, who has been promoted to the top, has done a stunning job so far. In the first test, he propelled the team to victory by eight wickets with his century in the second innings.

Weatherald, who made his test debut in the Perth test, hit a 72-run knock and an unbeaten 17 runs in the previous game at The Gabba, which Australia won by eight wickets.

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