Hussey Calls for Khawaja Recall, Advocates Shift for Head in Ashes Lineup
A return to experience at the top of the order is what Australian cricket needs, according to former Test star Mike Hussey, who believes Usman Khawaja deserves a swift recall for the Third Ashes Test starting Wednesday in Adelaide. Despite recent back spasms that sidelined him for the Second Test, Hussey asserts Khawaja has earned the right to reclaim his opening position.
Khawaja missed the recent victory in Brisbane while battling a back injury sustained during the opening Test in Perth. In his absence, Travis Head delivered a standout performance as a makeshift opener, leading some to speculate about a long-term shift in the batting order. However, Hussey believes prematurely altering the established lineup would be a mistake.
“I’d bring him straight back in and I’d move Travis Head back down to number five,” Hussey stated, emphasizing the importance of stability. “I just think Usman Khawaja’s basically had one innings here in Perth with back spasms. Coming into the series, Usman Khawaja was our number one guy opening the batting – we weren’t sure who the other guy would be! What’s changed after one innings?”
Hussey highlighted Khawaja’s proven track record as an opener, arguing that one injury-affected match shouldn’t overshadow his consistent contributions. He also pointed out that Khawaja is now fully recovered and ready to resume his role.
The proposed reshuffle would see Head return to his preferred middle-order position, a move Hussey believes will maximize his impact against a struggling England side currently trailing 2-0 in the series. “Get Travis Head back down to number five,” Hussey reiterated. “I know Travis Head played an amazing innings here as opener in Perth – but I just like him at number five.”
Opening the batting consistently in Test cricket presents unique challenges, and Hussey feels Head’s strengths are better suited to the middle order. “Opening the batting consistently at Test cricket is difficult, very difficult. I just feel like Travis Head can be more consistent in the middle order.”
Should Khawaja be reinstated, Josh Inglis would likely be the player to make way. Hussey acknowledged the difficulty of this decision, noting Inglis’s promising performance at the Gabba, but ultimately believes the veteran Khawaja offers greater value at the top of the order. “Unfortunately for him, (Inglis) makes way,” he said. “It’s a tough call – he looked pretty good up at the Gabba as well but didn’t get a massive score. He was sort of the back up batter as it was.”
Fellow Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist echoed Hussey’s sentiment, agreeing that dropping Inglis to accommodate Khawaja is the most logical course of action. “I think they will do that (drop Inglis and bring back Khawaja),” Gilchrist said. “I think the brains trust will say that’s the percentage play – get Usman’s experience there, go back to a more traditional opening method.”
Khawaja ‘100%’ for third Ashes test | 03:14 – This video provides further insight into Khawaja’s fitness and potential return to the team.
Hussey also cautioned against overreacting to Head’s success as an opener, emphasizing that a single brilliant innings doesn’t necessarily define a player’s long-term role. He feared that some had “jumped the gun” in declaring Head the future of the Australian opening lineup. “It was a phenomenal innings from Travis Head … Sometimes you have one of those days. Everything just goes perfect – that was one of those days (in Perth),” he explained.
He underscored the importance of consistency at the top of the order, a quality Khawaja has demonstrated over an extended period. “Khawaja has done it for a long period of time. He’s got a lot of experience opening the batting.”
Hussey believes Head will be equally impactful returning to the middle order, particularly against a potentially fatigued English attack in Adelaide. “Travis Head coming in the middle order in Adelaide … a tiring attack … he can be just as devastating if not more devastating for Australia through there.”
The Third Ashes Test is scheduled to begin in Adelaide on Wednesday, with the selection decisions poised to significantly impact the remainder of the series.
