Just days after suffering from back spasms during the first Test in Perth, Australian opener Usman Khawaja has entered the contentious Ashes debate by sharing a picture of a golf course on Instagram. Travis Head’s record century as a stand-in opener helped Australia win by eight wickets, but Khawaja’s social media activity attracted the most attention.
Due to back spasms that flared up on the eve of the Test, Usman Khawaja had a difficult start to the Ashes series. He was unable to open in either innings and had little effect with the bat. During Australia’s chase of 205, he made no appearances and batted at No. 4 in the first innings. Questions were raised about the injury after it was revealed that Usman Khawaja had played 54 holes of golf over three days in a row before the match, even skipping an optional training session to play in a pro-am-linked round. When Khawaja posted an image of a golf course, things became more heated. A week! Everything was there,” he wrote.
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McDonald affirms that Usman Khawaja back spasms would be investigated further by medical personnel.
In the meantime, former seamer Trent Copeland added laughing emojis, David Warner added “Foreeeeee,” and captain Pat Cummins replied with a golf-swing emoji. Mitchell Johnson, a former fast bowler, blasted the opening, describing the incident as a “self-inflicted back spasm fiasco.” A senior player fighting for a spot shouldn’t be spending three days on the golf course prior to an Ashes Test, he disclosed. According to Johnson, Khawaja’s commitment to the national team was negatively impacted if the preparation caused the back spasms.
In addition, selectors are currently considering their choices for the Brisbane Test due to pressure. The batting order reorder debate has been reignited after Travis Head’s 123 as a temporary opener. Although Usman Khawaja back spasms were the first time the opener had experienced them, Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that medical personnel will look into the matter further. McDonald denied that age was a role and said that Khawaja had never experienced any health problems from golf before.
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