Back spasm, not lack of preparation: Truth behind Khawaja's Perth struggle

Usman Khawaja won a golf tournament on the eve of the first Test in Perth, playing 18 holes alongside Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and some of the Australian coaching staff.

In the three days leading up to the golf outing, Khawaja batted for a cumulative six hours in the nets. He was the first batter in alongside Steve Smith when Australia officially began their Ashes preparation, and among the last to leave, having faced throwdowns, net bowlers, and Pat Cummins. The following day, he returned to face Mitchell Starc alongside Jake Weatherald and participated in fielding and catching drills during the main training session.

Questioning his dedication or linking his back spasms to the golf outing is unfair and inaccurate. Playing golf on off days or before Tests has been common in world cricket for years, often serving as a mental refresher or a break from the cricket bubble. Khawaja played golf before notable performances, such as his 180 in Ahmedabad and his century in Birmingham during the 2023 Ashes.

Few batters consider it compulsory to have a net session the day before a Test, and Khawaja is no exception. However, missing the chance to open the batting in Perth due to back stiffness was an unfortunate outcome. He felt his back stiffen during warm-ups before play on Friday, took strong painkillers, and took the field but struggled to move after a few overs, forcing him to leave. England's late collapse in the first innings meant he couldn't return in time to bat in his normal position.

On Day 2, he battled through the stiffness with painkillers and was on the field for 15 overs to ensure he could open in the second innings. However, an awkward fall while attempting a catch at first slip ended his hopes of batting. Khawaja described it as the "best back spasm" he's had, as it allowed Travis Head to be promoted and play one of the greatest Test knocks ever.

This raises questions about Khawaja's place in the team as Australia head to Brisbane with a 1-0 lead. There is temptation to retain Head at the top after his impactful performance, and Khawaja's recent returns have been lean. Since David Warner's retirement, he has scored 536 runs at 21.44 with two half-centuries in 27 innings in seam-friendly conditions—a drop from his form as the world's best Test opener in the preceding two years.

Scrutiny will continue as Khawaja approaches a potential farewell at the SCG, but his future won't be decided by a lack of effort or preparation, as was the case in Perth.