Cricket Australia (CA) has shared an important medical update regarding the senior opener Usman Khawaja, pacer Josh Hazelwood, and the captain Pat Cummins before the second Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against England at The Gabba in Brisbane.

It could have been a self-assured atmosphere after defeating the Ashes opener by eight wickets in just two days against England in Perth, but Australian head coach Andrew McDonald and the selectors have found themselves caught in a waiting game, due to the medical checks.

Hamstring injury forces Josh Hazlewood to miss out as Australia copes with triple injury worry

Josh Hazlewood, who already missed the Perth Test, will not be a part of the upcoming Day-Night Test at The Gabba either as he is still in the hands of a hamstring problem that he sustained during the Sheffield Shield. Although the first scan did not indicate anything serious, the pain is still there.

McDonald mentioned that Hazlewood is still at the beginning of his rehabilitation process. He will accompany the Australian team in Brisbane and continue working with the physiotherapists; the head coach is hopeful that Hazlewood will return in the later part of the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes series.

Andrew McDonald referred to the media, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “He’s doing the first week of his rehab. I am not quite sure whether or not we need to update that. Once he gets further on the journey and we have some approximate timelines, then we will be able to convey that.

I am confident that he will be available at some point in the series. We have to go through a little bit of that early rehab first to determine when he might come in during the series, but we expect him to be a part of the series.”

Pat Cummins is nearly fit and ready, but before that, Australia might have a last-minute change on the cards at The Gabba.

At the same time, Pat Cummins is getting closer and closer to being back in action. McDonald mentioned that the bowler’s performance in the last week had given rise to a lot of expectations. However, the two-day finish in Perth necessitated a change of plans as the Australian skipper was scheduled to bowl on Day 4 of the first Test, but with everyone flying back home early, that stint had to be postponed.

Consequently, McDonald is not closing any doors and said that the team will have a clearer understanding of his comeback when they see him again. On the other hand, the Australian coach did say that Cummins appeared to be quite fit, his speed was up, and he was in a good mood, so he looked almost prepared to return to full-strength action. But Australia will play it safe and not risk anything.

With the second Test being a day-nighter and another long break before the third Ashes Test at Adelaide, the call might only come on the eve of the second Test in Brisbane. McDonald observed, “As soon as we see him again, we will be able to draw the lines as to what that might look like.”

He went on to say, “There are a lot of benefits, but the main thing for us now is to strengthen the soft tissue and make sure we are not taking any risks with him in terms of speeding up the process too much.”

“However, it will be a real conversation going into this Test match. It could be one that happens late for us. A bit to sort out, but it is coming to the end, which is very, very good.”

Usman Khawaja’s unexpected back pain leads to urgent medical evaluations

Usman Khawaja’s unexpected back spasms has been the most concern in the Australian camp during the ongoing Ashes 2025-26. He managed to bat only once and dropped a catch at slip before he left the field in pain.

Well, McDonald disclosed that the medical team considers further investigations as Khawaja has never experienced such a back problem in his entire career. Though the team camp is still six days away, they are looking forward to having Khawaja ready for selection.

The Australian head coach revealed that a back spasm usually indicates something deeper, particularly since Khawaja has never gone through it before, and that’s the reason why they want deeper investigation.

The coach remarked, “By the time we arrive at the camp, it will be six days. It is a long time, and a lot of information will have to be collected between now and then, and hopefully Usman is fit and available for selection. I think any time you spasm, it’s an indication of some activity in your back.”

McDonald concluded his remarks by saying, “So, I think the further investigation is just due diligence around that issue. Spasms are a symptom of a problem. He hasn’t had it before, so that’s what probably will require a bit more further investigation. My gut feeling is that it should be alright, but as I said, we’ll just wait for that information to come through.”