Key Highlights
- Usman Khawaja did not open the batting for Australia in the first Ashes Test due to a bizarre error.
- Marnus Labuschagne and debutant Jake Weatherald were chosen instead to open the innings.
- England was bowled out for 172, with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets.
- Khawaja missed his spot in the batting order because he was off the field during England’s innings “for toilet breaks and stretching.”
The Bizarre Error That Cost Australia a Batting Slot
During the first Ashes Test, which kicked off on November 18, 2025, at Perth Stadium, an unusual error occurred that left cricket fans scratching their heads. Usman Khawaja, one of Australia’s preferred openers, did not get his usual slot in the batting order for the first time in a long while.
The reason behind this unexpected twist was rooted in procedural rules and unfortunate timing. According to ABC Sport, Khawaja had been off the field during England’s innings “for toilet breaks and stretching.” However, he failed to return in time as the last English wicket fell.
As per the cricket regulations, once a player misses his spot due to such an instance, they must stay off the pitch for 10 minutes before being allowed back into the game.
On this particular occasion, Khawaja was unable to make it back in time when Jake Weatherald, a debutant, was bowled out. This left Steve Smith as Australia’s No.3 batsman on his opening day against Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson. The move exposed the team, particularly Smith, to the new ball.
How It Played Out for Australia
The absence of Khawaja had an immediate impact. When Weatherald was dismissed LBW in the second over, Steve Smith came in at No.3 and would not have been thanking his teammate for an error that put him under pressure from the outset.
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne joined debutant Jake Weatherald to open the innings. This decision by Australia’s management was somewhat surprising given Khawaja’s experience and consistent performance in previous Ashes series.
Labuschagne and Weatherald managed some initial resistance against Archer and Atkinson but were eventually bowled out as England’s batting unit struggled.
Leading the attack superbly, Mitchell Starc recorded his 17th five-wicket haul on day one of the first Ashes Test at Perth Stadium. His brilliant performance saw him take seven wickets for 54 runs in just over two sessions, significantly reducing England to 168-7 by lunchtime.
Starc’s efforts began early when he dismissed Zak Crawley for a duck, followed by Ben Duckett for 21 and Joe Root for a duck. Jofra Archer then claimed six wickets as England’s batting unit crumbled under the Australian pressure. The first session ended with England at 168-7, setting up an interesting contest on day two.
Lessons Learned and Future Implications
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to cricket rules and procedures. For Australia, this error could have implications for team selection in future matches, especially given Khawaja’s experience and batting prowess. His absence from the opening order might also impact his chances of being selected if he misses more crucial moments during the series.
Cricket fans will be watching closely to see how this unfolds over the course of the Ashes series.
For now, Australia faces a challenging task against England as they look to capitalize on their strong start and secure an early lead in what promises to be a grueling series for both teams.
Follow the first Test live! The next day’s play will reveal more about how this error affects the dynamics between these two cricketing giants. Stay tuned!
