Michael Clarke believes selectors may recall Usman Khawaja for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, but the former captain is unsure whether Australia should make a change to a winning combination.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has expressed doubts about whether Usman Khawaja should walk straight back into the Test XI as the Ashes series heads to Adelaide, even though he expects selectors to reinstate him if he is fit.
Khawaja missed the Brisbane Test after suffering back spasms in Perth. His absence forced Travis Head to open alongside Jake Weatherald, and the temporary pairing delivered strong returns — partnerships of 75 and 77 that laid the foundation for Australia’s control across both matches.
Michael Clarke Unsure About Usman Khawaja
Speaking on ESPN’s Around The Wicket, Clarke said the selectors would likely restore Khawaja to the top of the order, but questioned the need to disrupt a successful opening pairing.
“I think the selectors will pick him,” Clarke said. “I think he’ll be back at the top of the order. I don’t know if I would make a change, to be honest.”
Clarke suggested that senior players nearing the final phase of their careers are typically selected for major tournaments — such as the Ashes or a World Cup — after which decisions about their future naturally follow. With Australia leading the series 2–0, he argued stability might be the better option.
“Australia are dominating, their style of play is working, so I don’t know if I would go back to that now,” he said.
Former Australia batter Greg Blewett echoed Clarke’s stance, saying he would keep the batting order unchanged after Head’s impressive performances as a stand-in opener.
“I’m keeping the batting order the same,” Blewett said. “That functioned really well for the second Test match, so I’m not touching that.”
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Should Usman Khawaja Bat in The Middle Order?
Khawaja’s place was unquestioned before the Ashes began, but a downturn in form since the 2023 series — averaging 31.84 with one century in his last 45 innings — has reopened the conversation.
Head coach Andrew McDonald has floated the possibility of Khawaja batting in the middle order if required, noting the left-hander’s flexibility. Khawaja famously returned to Test cricket in 2022 at No. 5 in Sydney, scoring twin hundreds before being promoted back to opener.
Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw believes Khawaja can adapt to any role.
“Uzzy is a world-class player,” Renshaw told SEN Radio. “He can slot in anywhere. Head has been doing an amazing job as opener, so there is absolutely a role for Uzzy to play at five.”
Mike Hussey, however, believes Australia should stick with the original plan.
“Before the Ashes series started, Khawaja was at the top of the order,” Hussey said. “Would one innings change the whole mindset of the selectors? In my mind, no.”
Hussey argued that the opening batting blueprint should not be altered based on a single successful stand in Perth.
