New Delhi: Australia’s regular Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins provided an update on Usman Khawaja’s back spasm, which briefly took him off the field during the first innings of the Ashes Test in Perth.
Khawaja left the field as England experienced a late collapse, ultimately being bowled out for 172 after having been at 160/5. Due to the time he spent in the dressing room receiving treatment, Khawaja was unable to open the batting and instead came in at No. 4.
Cummins, who is missing the first Test due to his own back injury, commented on Khawaja’s condition: “Uzzie had some back spasms in the field, so he came off and was getting a bit of treatment, some heat in it, stretching on and off,” Cummins said, as reported by ABC. “He got on the wrong side of the timings—a few quick ones at the end meant that he couldn’t bat; he missed it by a few minutes.”
“I haven’t seen him since he batted. He obviously went out there and batted and looks like he’s moving okay. Back spasms, I think, are a little bit niggly, but you can kind of get through them. Get some anti-inflams and hopefully he’s all right,” he added.
The opening day of the Ashes Test witnessed a record-breaking performance in Perth, marking the first time in 116 years that the opening day saw 18 or more wickets fall. The previous occurrence was in 1909 at the Old Trafford Test when both teams were bowled out on the first day.
Furthermore, with 19 wickets falling on the opening day, it stands as the most in the last century, surpassing the 17 wickets reported during the Trent Bridge Test in 2001 and the Lord’s Test in 2005.
Most wickets on the opening day of an Ashes Test in the last 100 years:
- 19 Perth Stadium 2025 (Eng 10, Aus 9)
- 17 Trent Bridge 2001 (Eng 10, Aus 7)
- 17 Lord’s 2005 (Aus 10, Eng 7)
