TL;DR
- Josh Inglis scored an unbeaten 125, boosting his selection chances for the Second Test.
- Usman Khawaja faces intense pressure for his Ashes opening position.
- Travis Head and Matt Renshaw are also contenders for Australia's batting order.
- Inglis's performance could impact Australia's batting lineup for Brisbane and beyond.
The First Ashes Test between Australia and England may have ended within just two days.
But there’s been another cricket match happening between the same two nations in Perth—and it could have major ramifications on the fast-flagging Test career of 38-year-old Usman Khawaja.
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, 30, has played three Tests for Australia since making his debut in Sri Lanka at the start of 2025, and shapes as an ideal middle-order inclusion should Travis Head be retained to open alongside Jake Weatherald following his match-winning innings in Perth.
Another option is to re-instate Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster, although both moves could potentially happen should Nathan Lyan be named as 12th man for the pink ball Test at The Gabba after sending down just 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.