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“They won’t drop him”: Healy’s big Khawaja call
SEN • November 24th, 2025 11:19 am
Ian Healy thinks that Usman Khawaja will keep his place in the Australian XI for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.
While the Aussies won the first Test by eight wickets, Khawaja struggled throughout the clash in Perth, suffering back spasms on both Day 1 and 2, with the left-hander unable to open in Australia’s first innings after spending too much time off the field getting treatment.
That absence forced Marnus Labuschagne into opening with Jake Weatherald on Day 1, and unfortunately, a collapse ensued with the Aussies rolled for 132.
Even though that was quickly forgotten after Travis Head opened in the second innings, leading Australia to an eight-wicket victory after his blistering ton, all that’s done is put more pressure on Khawaja’s spot in the team as the South Australian made opening look so easy.
Couple that with the fact that Khawaja played golf the day before suffering his back problems, many have now called for the 38-year-old to be dropped both on performance and for how he prepared for the huge clash.
While some are blaming that round of golf for the injury, Healy doesn’t see it that way.
“It was bad luck that your back has gone after playing golf, the same as he’s played for the last 30 Tests,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.
“Mitch Starc was there playing golf with him, whether it was golf or not, it doesn’t matter to me, it sounds like he did it on Day 1. It’s dead stiff that your back goes on you to start a five-day Test.
“Then he’s even more stiff that we got three wickets in five minutes while he was trying to get his back right, and that just pushed him over the line.
“That makes it look bad. If he had been able to go out and bat, as a normal opener, there’d be no problems.”
If Khawaja does recover from his back concerns in time, Healy can’t see him being dropped for the Gabba, and he urged the opener to follow in the footsteps of Brisbane captain Lachie Neale after he came back for the 2025 AFL Grand Final on the back of a calf injury.
“Yes, he does. If he’s fit, he’ll play,” Healy said.
“He’s got to do a Lachie Neale, he's got to get into the hyperbaric chambers, he's got to get everywhere and really prove that he wants it and loves the game.
“He’s going to need to get that back right and be totally convincing that he's fit.
“If he does (prove his fitness), they won’t drop him before Brisbane.”
The second Test between Australia and England begins on December 4 in Brisbane. Listen to every ball live on SEN – your home of cricket.
