‘Doesn’t really faze me’: Khawaja dismisses doubters as veteran stakes claim for recall – Ashes Daily

Usman Khawaja has declared himself fit to play in Adelaide, if the Australian selectors want to recall the 39-year-old batter.

The left-hander was ruled out of the second Test at the Gabba with the back issues that plagued him in the series opener in Perth, but insists he is now back to full fitness.

Slotting in at the top of the order is not so straightforward, however, with Travis Head’s move to the top being a fruitful one and newcomer Jake Weatherald impressing with 72 in the first innings in Brisbane.

Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Regardless, the veteran has received the backing of former opening partner David Warner, who called for Khawaja to be reinstated at the top and Head to return to No.5.

The selectors are yet give Khawaja an indication of whether or not he will return, however.

“I’m 100 (per cent),” Khawaja told reporters in Adelaide on Saturday.

“I’m feeling 100 (per cent) … I’ve done everything. That’s why I was training all last week. It wasn’t for anything else. I was just doing rehab, which sucks, because when you get injured, you have to do more right.”

He added: “Yeah, obviously, I hope to play. I don’t really know. I haven’t really had a chat too much with the selectors. 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. And I feel really good in terms of, I’m ready to go. The rest of it is not in my control.”

The other potential path back to the XI is via the middle order.

Khawaja has batted in every position in the top six throughout his 85 Test career.

He scored twins tons at the SCG at No.5 upon being recalled to the side in the last Ashes series in Australia, and believes he could easily take Josh Inglis’ spot and allow Head to stay at the top.

It was an option Australian coach Andrew McDonald floated in a recent interview, and Khawaja would welcome the move.

“No issues. I’ve always done really well batting at four or five,” Khawaja said.

“It was always the case normally, people that open aren’t as attuned to No. 5 as opening because they’re not as good at playing spin. But I’ve proven I’m one of the best players of spin in Australia.

“My subcontinent record is one of the best ever for Australia. So that’s never been the issue. I can bat anywhere.”

The possibility of Khawaja returning to the side has fuelled much debate around the country.

While Inglis batted at No.7, below wicketkeeper Alex Carey and only made 23 at the Gabba, Australia’s white ball gloveman was instrumental in the field with a superb direct hit run out of England captain Ben Stokes in the first innings.

It was a piece of fielding Khawaja would surely admit he could not replicate, and Head’s jump to opening has been a very popular move given his unforgettable fourth innings hundred in Perth.

There are also the detractors who have ruled Khawaja out because of his age, but the 39-year-old says it does not bother him because he still has the backing of those directly involved with the team.

“It doesn’t really faze me. As much as people sometimes want to have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia,” Khawaja said.

“I’m still very committed. Every game I take the same way as I took 10 years ago. I train hard. I do everything right. For me, it’s irrelevant. For me, it’s more about just being a professional. People can have opinions, that’s absolutely no worries to me. But, I mean, I can’t really sit down and worry about what other people think, especially outside of the squad.

“I could’ve retired two years ago, I could’ve retired at any time. But [I’m] still valued by the team, still asked to be here to play, so I’m here.”

Earlier in the series, Khawaja was involved in controversy surrounding his choice to play golf several times in the days leading up to the first Test as well as his comments about the Perth pitch.

When he was impacted by back spasms and could not open the batting on day one, Khawaja’s round of golf the day prior seemingly became a national bugbear.

While he later caused a stir by calling the Perth Stadium pitch a “piece of s***” despite it getting a top rating from the ICC.

Khawaja addressed both issues publicly for the first time on Saturday.

“I gotta be honest, like the golf one, not really important to me what other people say. I’ve always been a professional,” he said.

“The wicket one was not really a big issue for me. I talked to (CA chief) Todd (Greenberg) about it like adults, and it was all sorted. I think it was more an issue for the media and everyone else, if I’m truly honest, but it’s all resolved, no issues.”

‘LOOKING A BELTER’: ADELAIDE PITCH UPDATE

As the third Test draws nearer, the obligatory photos of the Adelaide Oval pitch has been popping up on Twitter.

With the Test not starting until Wednesday there is a healthy covering of grass visible and the ground staff will no doubt be pumping plenty of water into the surface given the hot weather forecasted.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects temperatures to reach 35 degrees on day one, and then a scorching 38 degrees on day two before the mercury lowers slightly into the early 30s as the Test match goes on.

The Adelaide Oval pitch has typically had more grass on it in recent years as it has hosted a day/night Test and curators are often eager to keep the pink ball in tact, but Adelaide’s few day Tests in recent times have not necessarily been run fests.

Adelaide has long been regarded as boasting the best batting surface in the country, but in the most recent day Test against the West Indies in January 2024, Australia won by ten wickets before lunch on day three.

The West Indies were knocked over for 188 before a Travis Head hundred lifted Australia to 283. The tourists were then dismissed for 120 and Australian openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja reached the target of 26.

The previous day Test was against India in 2018, which the visitors won by 31 runs with the highest total for the game coming in India’s second innings when they accumulated 307.

In the four day Tests prior that one, however, Australia piled on a first innings total of more than 500 each time.