Khawaja, who missed the second Test victory in Brisbane due to back spasms, was unable to open in Australia\u2019s first innings after spending prolonged time off the field with a back injury during England\u2019s batting in the series opener in Perth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In Khawaja's absence, Travis Head delivered a standout performance and scored a match-winning Ashes century for the ages. However, Khawaja is now fit again and has been selected in the 15-man squad for the Adelaide Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019d bring him straight back in and I\u2019d move Travis Head back down to number five,\u201d Hussey said on Fox Cricket. \u201cI just think Usman Khawaja\u2019s basically had one innings here in Perth with back spasms. Coming into the series, Usman Khawaja was our number one guy opening the batting \u2013 we weren\u2019t sure who the other guy would be!<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"What\u2019s changed after one innings? He\u2019s recovered from his back injury now. Get him back in there at the top of the order,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hussey believes that Head returning to his position in the middle order could be more damaging against England, who are trailing 0-2 in the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Get Travis Head back down to number five. I know Travis Head played an amazing innings here (as opener in Perth in the First Test) \u2013 but I just like him at number five. 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,\" said Hussey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Should Khawaja return, it would come at the expense of Josh Inglis, who batted at No. 7 at the Gabba where he scored an uncertain 23, a view supported by the former Aussie great Adam Gilchrist.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think they will do that (drop Inglis and bring back Khawaja). I think the brains trust will say that\u2019s the percentage play \u2013 get Usman\u2019s experience there, go back to a more traditional opening method.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTravis Head can then come into the middle order and really make some strong contributions and maybe still up the tempo if he needs to in that middle order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think they will do that (drop Inglis and bring back Khawaja). I think the brains trust will say that\u2019s the percentage play \u2013 get Usman\u2019s experience there, go back to a more traditional opening method.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt would be a tough call to say picking Usman here in that first Test match and saying \u2018you\u2019re our trump, you\u2019re experienced; that's who we build our order around with a debutant in the form of (Jake) Weatherald\u2019, it\u2019s a tough call to then say because of injury that\u2019s the end of your career effectively,\" said Gilchirst.<\/p>\r\n\r\n