Usman Khawaja

Usman Tariq Khawaja is an Australian international cricketer who represents the Australia national cricket team in Test cricket, captains the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and plays for Queensland at domestic level.

Born: 18 December 1986 (age 38 years), Islamabad, Pakistan

Spouse: Rachel McLellan (m. 2018)

Dates joined: 2022 (Brisbane Heat), 2021 (Islamabad United) · See more

Current teams: Brisbane Heat (Batter), Queensland Bulls (Batter), Lancashire Cricket Club, Valley District Cricket Club (Batter)

Parents: Fozia Tariq, Tariq Khawaja

Siblings: Arsalan Khawaja, Nauman Khawaja

Nationality: Australian

3rd Ashes Test: Usman Khawaja Returns To Australia XI Moments Before Toss, Replaces Steve Smith

On Wednesday, Usman Khawaja was hastily brought back into the team just before the toss, replacing Steve Smith.

Australia has suffered a major blow just before the third Ashes Test against England, as star batsman Steve Smith will miss the match due to illness. Smith had been suffering from illness leading up to the match at the Adelaide Oval, and he was ruled out of the team on the morning of the match. Experienced batsman Usman Khawaja has been included in the team as his replacement. Australian captain Pat Cummins confirmed Smith's absence after winning the toss and deciding to bat first on a bright, sunny day in Adelaide.

Quoting the ICC website, Cummins said, "He (Smith) is feeling unwell and has gone home. But we are fortunate to have a player like Khawaja in the squad."
Cummins said that Khawaja will play in Smith's preferred number four position in the Australian batting lineup, which means Travis Head will once again partner with Jake Weatherald at the top of the hosts' batting order.

Cricket Australia later released a statement regarding Smith's condition, confirming that the right-handed batsman is expected to recover in time for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
The statement said, "He (Smith) had been feeling unwell for the past few days, including symptoms of nausea and dizziness."
"He was examined and closely monitored and was close to being fit to play. However, as the symptoms persisted, the decision was made to rest him."
"He is being treated for a possible vestibular issue. This is a condition that Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly. It is expected that he will be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne," the statement added.
Australia made three changes to the team that secured a massive eight-wicket victory in the second Test in Brisbane for the crucial match in Adelaide. Spinner Nathan Lyon, Cummins, and Khawaja returned to the playing XI, replacing Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, and Smith.
England captain Ben Stokes indicated at the toss that he too would have batted first in Adelaide. The visiting team made one change to their playing XI, with Josh Tongue getting a chance and his fellow pacer Gus Atkinson being dropped.
Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.