Khawaja ruled out of second Ashes Test

SYDNEY:

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes test against England in Brisbane later this week due to a back problem, the team said on Tuesday.

Khawaja was unable to open either innings in the series opener in Perth because of back spasms and showed some discomfort on Monday in the nets at Brisbane's Gabba ground, where the second test starts on Thursday.

"I thought he looked pretty good in the nets, but he must have thought in himself that he wasn't ready to go."

The 38-year-old will not be replaced in the squad, raising the likelihood that Travis Head will stay at the top of the order after his brilliant innings of 123 as a makeshift opener in Perth drove Australia to an eight-wicket victory.

"I am not sure about the middle-order but expect Travis Head to open," Boland said.

"I think the best thing about our team over the last few years is when someone has come out, either due to form or an injury, someone's always stood up and done their job."

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have both been used as openers in the nearly two years since David Warner retired, but the former said on Monday that neither would be reprising the role.

Jacks in for Wood

Spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks will replace paceman Mark Wood in an otherwise unchanged England side for the second Ashes test against Australia in Brisbane later this week, the team said on Tuesday.

Wood experienced soreness in his left knee after the series opener in Perth, which Australia won by eight wickets inside two days to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

England believe Jacks is ready for another opportunity with the red ball.

"Everyone knows what a brilliant cricketer he is," batter Ollie Pope told reporters.

"The way he's grown over the last few years, we've seen his white-ball game really go forward. It's a great opportunity for his red-ball game too.

"He's got that style of spin bowling where he can get some bounce and turn off the pitch, then everyone has seen the skills he's got in the white-ball format.

"He can take on a really good attack."

Even if he failed to take a wicket, the 35-year-old Wood's pace was a huge plus for England in the first innings in Perth, but his health was always in question given that he missed the entire home summer because of a problem with the same knee.

The inclusion of Jacks for his first test since he won his second cap in Pakistan in 2022 marks a move away from the four-pronged pace attack that England put out in Perth, even though the Gabba is known for its fast, bouncy surface.

Although Jacks took 6-161 on his test debut in Pakistan three years ago, he is better known for his prowess with the bat and will be expected to stiffen the bottom end of England's batting order.

Zak Crawley has retained his spot at the top of the England batting order despite picking up a pair in Perth, a decision that is consistent with the view of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes that the tourists should stick to their guns.

Pope said, however, that England might have to soak up some pressure in the second test, a day-nighter that gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday.

"There's different ways you can skin a cat if you want to be successful," he added.

"It's trying to make sure you're putting the bowler under some pressure, but at the same time, trying to absorb it as much as you can when a bowler is in a good rhythm.

"We know Australia have a good record here, but at the same time, we saw West Indies went and turned them over last time, so we take that as a bit of a positive."

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.