Australian opener Usman Khawaja has given the hosts a big health report ahead of the third Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series in Adelaide, proclaiming himself fully fit after recovering from back spasms. With Australia and England ready for another confrontation, Khawaja’s availability has sparked speculation over Australia’s opening combination only days before the pink-ball Test begins.
The southpaw was forced to skip the second Test in Brisbane after experiencing back spasms during the first Test in Perth. The injury forced Australia to change their batting order, with Travis Head elevated to open alongside Jake Weatherald. The switch paid off immediately, with Head producing strong top-order performances, including a century in Perth, and the pair adding key opening stands in both Tests.
Despite his absence, Khawaja remained in Australia’s squad for the Adelaide Test. After completing an intense rehabilitation plan, the 38-year-old thinks he is physically ready to return. Speaking to reporters in Adelaide, Khawaja said that while he wants to play, the final decision is up to the team management.
“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. 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,” he told reporters.
I’ve had a fair bit of load: Usman Khawaja
Khawaja confirmed he has had a heavy training load in recent days, undergoing multiple gym sessions, running drills, and extended net practices before, during, and after the Gabba Test.
“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 added.
The experienced batter also backed his form, pointing to his recent Sheffield Shield performances, where he has shown the ability to score at different rates. He stressed that he still has gears to adjust based on match situations and conditions.
“I’ve got gears when I want them. You’ve got to find a way to be consistent for a long period of time, not just over a game or two. So I’ve always been conscious of that. I can go out there and play more shots and I think I’ve been scoring pretty [quickly]. So sometimes the game and the situation dictates that [and] the wickets dictate that. I think I just play the game, what’s in front of me,” he concluded.
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