Khawaja Declares Full Fitness Ahead of Adelaide Test as Selection Call Looms

Usman Khawaja has declared himself “100 per cent” fit ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, but admits his return to Australia’s XI is now in the hands of the selectors.

The 38-year-old missed the second Test in Brisbane after failing to recover in time from back spasms sustained during the series opener in Perth. Khawaja said while he may have been able to push through the injury later in a series, the risk was too great so early in the contest.

“Obviously I hope to play, but it’s not my decision,” Khawaja told reporters in Adelaide, where the Ashes resumes on December 17. “I feel really good and ready to go. The rest is not in my control, so we’ll see what happens.”

Khawaja said he had completed extensive rehabilitation and training over the past fortnight, including gym, running and net sessions, and insisted he was now fully fit.

“I’m feeling 100 per cent,” he said. “I’ve done everything I can. I’ve had a fair bit of load because that’s what I wanted — to get as much work as possible. I’m running at 100 per cent again and everything’s feeling pretty good.”

Turning 39 next week, Khawaja said he was being more mindful of recovery, particularly around travel days, after feeling sore following a delayed six-hour flight to Perth. He dismissed suggestions that rounds of golf had contributed to his injury.

“I’ve always been a professional,” he said.

In Khawaja’s absence, Travis Head and Jake Weatherald have impressed at the top of the order, sharing important partnerships in both Perth and Brisbane. However, Khawaja backed his own adaptability, pointing to his Sheffield Shield form this season, where he struck runs at a rate of 62.34.

“I’ve got gears when I want them,” he said. “The game, the situation and the wickets dictate how you play. I just play what’s in front of me.”

Khawaja said he would also be comfortable returning in the middle order, where he batted during his Test comeback in 2022.

“I’ve always done really well batting at four or five,” he said. “I’ve proven I’m one of the best players of spin in Australia, so batting anywhere has never been an issue.”

He also downplayed suggestions that Head had actively pushed to open the batting, describing the South Australian as a selfless team player willing to bat wherever required.

Khawaja, who averages 31.84 in Tests since the 2023 Ashes and has one century in his last 45 innings, said debate around his position did not trouble him, even if it was impossible to ignore commentary entirely.

“I love playing for Australia. I’m still very committed,” he said. “I train hard, I do everything right. People can have opinions — that’s no worries to me.”

Looking to the future, Khawaja stressed he was not intent on extending his career unnecessarily, but valued the trust shown in him by the team.

“I’m not here to hang around,” he said. “I’m here because I’m still valued and asked to play. As long as that’s the case, I’ll keep enjoying my cricket.”