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Khawaja cleared for Gabba Test


Published : 22 Jan 2024 09:39 PM

Usman Khawaja has been cleared to play the second Test against West Indies in Brisbane having passed all his concussion protocols following the blow to the head shortly before the end of the game in Adelaide.

Khawaja was struck on the side of helmet by a short ball from Shamar Joseph and retired hurt with one run needed for victory. He passed the initial concussion assessment in the dressing room and has continued to not show any symptoms over the weekend, getting the all-clear from a final test on Monday.

He will to return to training on Tuesday during Australia's main session ahead of the Gabba Test.

"Khawaja was assessed again today and has no symptoms of delayed concussion," a CA spokesperson said.

Khawaja's progress means Australia are set to remain unchanged for the second Test as they look to wrap up the series 2-0. Matt Renshaw is the spare batter in the squad and has been made available for Brisbane Heat's Challenger final against Adelaide Strikers on Monday. He may also be allowed to feature in the final against Sydney Sixers on Wednesday, the eve of the Test, if Heat make it through.

The three frontline quicks are set to play their fifth Test of the season together with the opening match in Adelaide having taken little more than two days, following all three Tests against Pakistan ending in four.

Alongside Nathan Lyon, it will be the first time since 2013-14 against England that Australia will have gone through a home Test summer of at least five matches with an unchanged attack when Lyon was also part of the group alongside Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle.

"At the start of the summer I didn't think it was going to be the case," captain Pat Cummins said. "But it's shaping up that way which is a huge nod to the fitness of the guys and the medical team and a couple of helpful wickets."

With Josh Hazlewood having passed 250 Test wickets in Adelaide, all four of the frontline bowlers now have that tally - the first attack in history to achieve the feat.