Ashes Drama: Khawaja’s Back Spasm Forced Sudden Batting Order Change, Reveals Starc

Mitchell Starc has revealed that Usman Khawaja’s sudden back spasm was the key factor behind Australia’s chaotic batting order on day one of the first Ashes Test in Perth.

Khawaja, 38, twice left the field during England’s innings, which meant he could not open as usual under the time-off-field regulations. As a result, Australia were forced into an unplanned reshuffle. Marnus Labuschagne moved up to open, pushing debutant Jake Weatherald into action far earlier than expected. Weatherald faced the first ball of his Test career but survived only two deliveries before Jofra Archer trapped him lbw with a sharp inswinger.

Khawaja eventually walked out after the second wicket, moments after Labuschagne was bowled for nine. However, the veteran left-hander also failed to settle, edging Brydon Carse behind for just two as Australia’s top order faltered in difficult conditions.

By stumps, Australia were left reeling at 123 for 9, still 49 runs short of England’s first-innings total after a dramatic collapse.

Starc admitted the team had minimal warning about Khawaja’s condition. “I didn’t know until the ninth wicket, when he still had about 10 minutes to wait,” he said. “He’d had a back spasm the second time he came off, and with wickets falling quickly at the end, it caught us off guard.”

Calling the situation “unfortunate,” Starc said Australia were hopeful Khawaja would recover overnight but acknowledged uncertainty remains heading into day two.