Ahead of the second Test match of the Ashes series against England, Australia's traditional opening batsman, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ashes-marnus-lauschagne-hails-usman-khawaja-ahead-of-second-test-match-23605740" rel="nofollow">Usman Khawaja</a>, has been ruled out.
The left-handed batsman has been struggling with the back injury that he sustained in Perth. In his place, the hosts will yet again add a new opening duo for the second match. "Australia will be forced into a change for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba," read the post's caption.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Australia will be forced into a change for the second <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#Ashes</a> Test at the Gabba. More: <a href="https://t.co/ANI8tlSaol">https://t.co/ANI8tlSaol</a> <a href="https://t.co/w3zgHBPYxF">pic.twitter.com/w3zgHBPYxF</a>
&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1995746397593993357?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote>

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In the first Test match at the Optus Stadium, Khawaja was seen coming out to bat in the middle order. His first innings ended with a score of two runs in six balls. Jake Weatherald and <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ashes-mark-butcher-labels-marnus-labuschagne-form-as-huge-boon-for-australia-23603159" rel="nofollow">Marnus Labuschagne</a> opened the first innings for the Aussies.
Later, in the second essay, swashbuckling batsman Travis Head opened the innings along with Weatherald. Head made the most out of the opportunity and smashed a match-winning century. Facing just 83 balls, the left-hander accumulated 123 runs, which was laced with 16 boundaries and four maximums.
Additionally, Will Jacks will come in for the "Three Lions" in the second Test match. He will replace injured pacer <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/eng-vs-aus-2nd-test-joe-root-provides-an-update-on-mark-wood-injury-23605600" rel="nofollow">Mark Wood</a>.
Currently, the Aussies are leading the five-match Test series by 1-0. The first match ended in Australia's favour as the side secured a win by eight wickets. Head's century was the highlight of the Aussies' famous victory in the Ashes Test match that ended in just two days.
The second <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/england-stalwart-joe-root-questions-need-for-pink-ball-test-in-ashes-23605655" rel="nofollow">Test</a> match of the Ashes series between England and Australia is scheduled to begin from December 4 at The Gabba in Brisbane.
AUS vs ENG 2nd Test: Full squad
Australia squad (second Test only): Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.

ENG vs AUS 2nd Test: The second Test match of the Ashes series between England and Australia is scheduled to begin from Thursday at The Gabba in Brisbane

ENG vs AUS 2nd Test: Usman Khawaja set to miss out on the Gabba clash

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The second Test match of the Ashes series between England and Australia is scheduled to begin from Thursday at The Gabba in Brisbane

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