Australia suffered an early setback in the second session of the Ashes 1st Test as debutant Jake Weatherald fell for a second-ball duck, trapped lbw by Jofra Archer. With the hosts reduced to 0/1, many viewers immediately wondered why senior opener Usman Khawaja was not at the crease — and more importantly, when he can come in to bat.
Why Khawaja could not open
Khawaja had spent extended time off the field during England’s innings, which triggered ICC playing conditions relating to substitute fielders and batting order.
Under the rules, any player who stays off the field for a prolonged period cannot bat until they have spent equivalent time back on the field.
Khawaja had not completed his required “time served” when Australia’s innings began, making him ineligible to open despite being the first-choice opener.
When can Khawaja bat?
Khawaja will be allowed to bat only after completing the remainder of his off-field time penalty, meaning:
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He cannot bat in the first few overs, and
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He can join the innings only once the required duration has passed, or
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If multiple wickets fall quickly, he must still wait until the clock clears the penalty.
Until then, Australia must rely on Marnus Labuschagne, who was pushed up to open, and Steven Smith at No. 3.
Early pressure on Australia
With Jake Weatherald dismissed for 0 and Australia trailing by 172 runs, the absence of Khawaja at the top has already added early pressure on the hosts. England, buoyed by Archer’s early strike, will sense an opportunity to make deeper inroads before Khawaja is allowed to bat.
