Michael Clarke has made a surprising U-turn on Usman Khawaja’s inclusion for the second Test, saying he wouldn’t want him to open in Adelaide. Despite initially supporting Khawaja’s return, Clarke now feels he shouldn’t be at the top, especially after his struggles in the Ashes, suffering a back spasm in the first Test.

He wasn’t picked for the pink-ball Test, paving the way for Travis Head, who smashed a stunning hundred in Perth, to open with Jake Weatherald. The duo showed attacking intent from ball one, stitching together a quick-fire 77-run stand in 13.1 overs as Australia posted 511.

Their strong start highlights how different it has been for Khawaja in 2025, where he has scored 463 runs from eight Tests at a strike rate of 53.83, without a single fifty since his 232 in Sri Lanka. Even so, he finds himself back in the squad for the Adelaide Test.

Following the opening Test, Clarke had backed Khawaja to reclaim his spot as an opener, arguing that Australia wouldn’t be keen on reshuffling the lineup so early in the series.

“He was sidelined due to injury, nothing more. Since he’s available again, he should start as opener in the second Test,” Clarke remarked post the Perth Test win.

But Clarke has since changed his view, admitting he can’t endorse Khawaja as an opener in the third Test. In a chat with ESPNcricinfo, the ex-skipper said he doesn’t think Australia need to turn back to Khawaja.

“I believe the selectors will go with Usman Khawaja again. I see him coming back as an opener. Personally, I’m not sure I’d make that switch. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, experienced players at that age are often chosen for big tournaments like the World Cup or the Ashes, and once those campaigns finish, it’s usually the natural end of their run,” Clarke said

“Australia are 2-0 up, and we’ve got a player at the top (Travis Head) who scored a phenomenal hundred. I’m not sure if they need to revert to that now. I know it might be difficult for Uzzy, as he’s had a remarkable career and been a key player.”