The 38-year-old struggled with back spasms during the first Test in Perth and failed to open, scoring two runs at fourth in the first innings and not batting in the second.
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With Khawaja ruled out, batsman Josh Inglis and all-rounder Beau Webster are set to fight for a place in the playing XI, with Travis Head at the top of the order after scoring a century as a substitute opener last time out.
West Australians are excited about that move, telling us to “get ready to ride the Travis Head wave” and touting the South Australian as the successor to attacking opener David Warner, who retired from Test cricket in January 2024.
In The Age, they point out that there has been no guarantee of a return for Khawaja, who has played 85 Tests for Australia since making his debut in 2011.
Meanwhile, over at The Australian, they defend the injury and offer Khawaja the chance to retire with dignity and say goodbye to the Australian crowd at The Gabba.
(BBC)
