In a rare and repeated twist at the Perth Stadium, Usman Khawaja was barred by the umpires from opening the batting for the second time in the same Test match, forcing Australia to send out an improvised opening pair during their chase of 205.

Khawaja, who normally walks out alongside Steven Smith, was once again restricted by ICC playing conditions after spending too long off the field during England’s second innings. The umpires formally informed Australia that the left-hander was ineligible to open until he served the mandatory “time-off” penalty.

Why was Khawaja barred again?

The rule is straightforward:

  • Any player who spends extended time off the field for non-bowling reasons must wait the same duration after the start of his team’s innings before being allowed to bat.

  • During England’s collapse — triggered by Mitchell Starc’s stunning spell en route to a 10-wicket match haul — Khawaja walked off gingerly and was absent long enough to trigger the restriction.

This mirrored the first innings, where Khawaja was also kept off the field for an extended stint and was similarly not allowed to open. That forced Travis Head to step in then — and now, once again in the fourth innings.

Who opened instead?

With Khawaja unavailable, Australia sent out:

  • Travis Head, adapting once again to an unfamiliar role, and

  • Jake Weatherald, who faced his first Ashes opening assignment under pressure.

The pair walked out with Australia needing 205 runs to win the Test, after England folded cheaply again — bowled out under 200 in both innings for the 73rd time in their history.

Will Khawaja bat later?

Yes.
Umpires clarified that Khawaja only needs to complete his time restriction before he is free to bat. Unlike the first innings, his absence wasn’t as long this time, meaning he should be available relatively early if a wicket falls.

Context: Starc’s 10-fer and England’s collapse

Mitchell Starc produced one of the great Ashes spells, finishing with 10/78, the first Australian seamer since Craig McDermott in 1990–91 to claim a ten-wicket haul in an Ashes Test. England, led only by resistance from Atkinson and Carse, were dismissed for 164, setting Australia 205 to win.

A rare double occurrence

It is extremely unusual for a player — especially an opener — to be barred from starting the innings twice in the same Test.
But with Khawaja off the field at critical moments both times, the umpires had no choice but to enforce the rule.