In the series opener in Perth, Khawaja was unable to open in Australia\u2019s first innings after spending extended time off the field with a back complaint during England\u2019s batting. Marnus Labuschagne stepped in initially, but on day two Travis Head capitalised on the opportunity, producing a match-winning Ashes century for the ages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Khawaja is fit again and has been named in the 15-man squad for the Adelaide Test. His most probable return would see him slot back into the opening role, pushing Travis Head down to No. 5, although head coach Andrew McDonald stressed that the opener\u2019s spot isn\u2019t his only option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, David Warner backed Khawaja to slot straight back into the side in his usual spot, despite concerns over his form, as he has gone 11 Test innings without a fifty.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOf course (he deserves that spot). Everyone gets injured. I think Uzzy comes back in, slides to the top, and Trav goes down. That\u2019s probably a worse result for England \u2014 Travis Head going back down the order,\u201d Warner told reporters ahead of the Sydney Thunder\u2019s BBL match against the Hobart Hurricanes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTravis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in. He came out and batted the way Travis Head does. You\u2019ve seen plenty of interviews from Trav saying that\u2019s Uzzie\u2019s spot and that when the time comes for them to ask him to go up the order, he more than likely wouldn\u2019t want to do that.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn about 2022\/23, we were looking at Travis Head to potentially open the batting, but at that point in time, we didn\u2019t have that aggressor in the middle order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAustralia has that now, and looking forward, whenever Uzzie decides to hang them up, they can look that way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut then it\u2019s about all of us who work in the media understanding that it potentially might not work and that Travis might go back down the order, and then they\u2019ll have to find another opener. The selectors have a headache, and I\u2019m glad I\u2019m not one of them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAustralia has that now, and looking forward, whenever Uzzie decides to hang them up, they can look that way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think experience is key\u2026 You still need that senior figure in a way. But moving forward, Renshaw could be one. I think he\u2019ll slide straight back in there. He\u2019s had a taste of Test cricket.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n