Usman Khawaja has declared himself "100 per cent fit" and ready to play in the crucial third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide, commencing on December 17. The veteran opener's availability comes as a welcome boost for the Australian side as they aim to maintain their winning momentum in the series.
Khawaja, who will turn 39 on day two of the Adelaide Test, was sidelined with back spasms during the second Test in Brisbane, after initially experiencing discomfort during the first Test in Perth. Despite missing the Gabba Test, the experienced batsman has reiterated his commitment to the Australian side and his eagerness to contribute.
"I feel really good in terms of I'm ready to go," Khawaja told reporters in Adelaide. He added that he is more structured in his preparation for the upcoming game, being more cautious about flights and recovery. He suffered back spasms in Perth, preventing him from opening in the first innings due to time spent off the field, then worsened his condition taking the field in Australia's second bowling innings.
Australia has won the first two tests of the 2025-26 series. In Khawaja's absence, Australia promoted Travis Head to the top of the order, who grabbed the opportunity with both hands. With Head and Jake Weatherald forming a successful opening partnership in the first two tests, Khawaja's place in the team is not assured.
However, Khawaja remains unfazed by the conjecture surrounding his place in the team. "I'm still valued by the team, still asked to be here to play, so I'm here," Khawaja said. "I'm always mindful of the future, I always have been. I'm not here to hang on, I'm just here to enjoy my cricket. As long as I'm valued I'm here, I'm doing my job".
Khawaja also defended his record and commitment to Australian cricket. "I am the guy who, as much as people sometimes want to have a have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia, I'm still very committed. I train hard, I do everything right. So for me, it's irrelevant," he stated. "I can't sit down and worry about what other people think, especially outside of the squad".
The veteran batsman has played 85 Test matches and scored 6055 runs at an average of 43.56. He believes his experience and versatility make him a valuable asset to the team. "I just like to compete. I can bat so many different ways. I've been successful in all formats, I've got gears when I want to," Khawaja said.
The third Ashes Test in Adelaide is set to be a closely contested affair, with both Australia and England vying for crucial ICC World Test Championship points. Australia currently leads the series 2-0. The match will be played at the Adelaide Oval, beginning on December 17.
