Injury blow for Australia as batter out of Brisbane Test
Australia's injury woes continue to pile up as top-order batter Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the Gabba Test following a back injury.
Usman Khawaja suffered from back issues which limited his participation in the opening Test of the Ashes 2025/26 in Perth.
Now, the batter has been ruled out from the Australia squad for the second Test.
The 38-year-old will remain with the side to continue his rehabilitation, and no replacement has been named in his place. This means Australia's squad for the Gabba encounter is trimmed down to 13.
In Khawaja's absence, Australia might opt to open once again with Travis Head, who played a blinder in the fourth innings in Perth after being asked to kick start the proceedings alongside Jake Weatherald.
Stuart Broad reckons Travis Head had England stunned with his blazing knock in the Ashes opener 🙌#WTC27 | #AUSvENG ✍️: https://t.co/c7nQHvDfk7 pic.twitter.com/UOXXwad7FR
— ICC (@ICC) November 25, 2025
Australia Squad:
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Australia are already without their skipper and ace pacer Pat Cummins, who continues his recovery from a back injury. Pacers Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott are also unavailable owing to injuries.
Despite these concerns, Australia clinched a comfortable eight-wicket win in the opening Test of the summer, and will look to build on their advantage in Brisbane.
Steve Smith is the stand-in captain for the second game, which starts on 4 December, and is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.
