Pat Cummins Delivers Major Update On Usman Khawaja After Opener Suffers Bouncer Blow

Australia captain Pat Cummins has delivered a major update on Usman Khawaja after the opener batsman suffered a sickening blow on his jaw during the recently concluded first AUS vs WI Test at the Adelaide Oval.

The incident happened when Usman Khawaja was up against Shamar Joseph in the seventh over of Australia’s second innings. The hosts were just 1 run short of the target when an awkward short ball forced the opener to take his eyes off the ball. The ball rose sharply and missed the grill before going on to hit Usman Khawaja on his jaw.

He looked in pain and removed his helmet straightaway before spitting blood. The left-handed batsman then decided to walk off the field, retired hurt for 9. After the game, Pat Cummins delivered an update on the opener, saying that his teammate ‘seemed fine’

Pat Cummins on Usman Khawaja:

Pat Cummins stated that Usman Khawaja has a “little bit of a sore jaw” and his condition will be monitored before his availability for the next Test is determined.

“He seems okay. It’s a little bit of a sore jaw. So yeah, [we’ll] monitor it but he seems okay,” Cummins was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.

After the game, Khawaja passed an initial concussion test in the dressing room but was still sent for an x-ray, and possibly a CT scan if needed. The hosts will take a call on his availability for the second Test only after the scan reports come out.

Talking about the game, Australia thrashed West Indies by 10 wickets to take an unassailable lead in the two-match series. West Indies scored 188 runs in the first innings before the hosts scored 283 thanks to a century from Travis Head.

In the second innings, West Indies were bowled out for just 120 runs to set Australia a target of 26 runs. Josh Hazlewood starred with the ball for Australia, taking 5 for 35. With the bat, the home side chased down the total inside 7 overs.

“Great Test match. It was a wicket where you always felt like one would leap and could get even a set batter out. Travis Head set it up for us, don’t think anyone else got over 50. Hazlewood was on fire, he got it done in just one spell,” said Pat Cummins.

The second game is scheduled to be played from January 25 in Brisbane.