Usman Khawaja is in some doubt to be fit for Australia’s second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba beginning January 25 after copping a nasty bouncer on the chin from Shamar Joseph on Friday.
Khawaja was forced to retire hurt during Australia’s second innings of the first Test after the incident, which left him bleeding.
Cricket Australia issued a statement which confirmed Khawaja hadn’t suffered a fractured jaw, but has to be monitored before being passed fit to play in the Gabba Test.
“Usman Khawaja has been cleared of a fractured jaw and will be monitored for any delayed concussion symptoms leading into the second NRMA Insurance Test match against the West Indies in Brisbane,” the CA statement read.
“Khawaja was not diagnosed with concussion on his initial post-match assessment.”
Khawaja will have to pass another concussion test on Saturday in order to line up for the final Test of the summer on home soil.
He posted on Instagram that he was OK after the scary incident.
“Thanks for all the well wishes. I’m fine, just wanted Marnus to have a hit.”
While it appears Khawaja will take his place, if he wasn’t able to, it would force the Aussies to make another change at the top of the order after Steve Smith was promoted to opener after David Warner’s retirement.
Matt Renshaw would likely be the man to come into the side if Khawaja couldn’t go.