TL;DR
- Usman Khawaja's Test career is under severe pressure after a poor performance in Perth.
- Josh Inglis scored an unbeaten 125, making a strong case for selection in the Second Test.
- Travis Head and Matt Renshaw are also contenders for opening spots, intensifying competition.
- Khawaja, an 84-Test veteran, may see his final Ashes Series end prematurely.
The First Ashes Test between Australia and England may have ended within just two days.
A different cricket contest has also been underway in Perth between these same two countries, and it might significantly impact the rapidly declining Test career of Usman Khawaja, who is 38 years old.
Facing scrutiny to keep his position as an Ashes opener following a disappointing Test in Perth, Khawaja was already contending with significant rivalry from Travis Head, a standout performer in the First Test, and Queensland's opening batsman Matt Renshaw.
The situation worsened today with another player making a spectacular bid for selection in the Second Test at Brisbane.
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Khawaja’s fellow Australian Test squad member Josh Inglis scored an unbeaten 125 from just 107 balls (15 fours, 2 sixes) as a Cricket Australia XI beat England Lions by 8 wickets in a four-day tour match at Lilac Hill.
This commanding performance would surely have attracted the attention of national selectors aiming to strengthen Australia's batting order for Brisbane and future matches.
Inglis, aged 30, has participated in three Test matches for Australia since his initial appearance in Sri Lanka in early 2025. He appears to be a suitable choice for the middle order if Travis Head is kept on to open the batting with Jake Weatherald, especially after Head's decisive performance in Perth.
Alternatively, Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster could be brought back in, though both changes might occur if Nathan Lyon is designated as the 12th man for the pink ball Test at The Gabba, having bowled only two overs in Perth.
Regardless, it appears the outcome is quite evident for the 84-Test veteran Khawaja, whose final Ashes Series might swiftly transform into a dreadful experience.