Usman Khawaja recently won a golf tournament on the eve of the first Test in Perth, playing 18 holes alongside teammates Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and members of the Australian coaching staff. While some critics linked his back spasms during the match to the golf outing, the veteran left-hander had already logged extensive preparation in the nets and training sessions over the three preceding days.

Khawaja was the first batter in the nets alongside Steve Smith at the start of Australia’s Ashes preparation and continued rigorous sessions with throwdowns, net bowlers, and pacers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. He also participated fully in fielding and catching drills before the Test, highlighting that his cricketing workload was substantial despite his golf activity.

Playing golf on off-days or lead-in days has been a common practice in world cricket, often serving as a mental refresher or light physical activity. Khawaja has previously played golf before significant innings, including his first Test century in India in 2023 and his century at Birmingham during the 2023 Ashes. Therefore, questioning his dedication or linking the back spasms to the golf outing is misplaced.

Khawaja did experience back stiffness during warm-ups before the first innings in Perth, requiring painkillers to continue. Although he had to leave the field and missed opening in the first innings, he returned on Day 2 to open the second innings, battling through discomfort. An awkward fall while attempting a catch ultimately ended his chance to take strike alongside debutant Jake Weatherald.

Despite these setbacks, Khawaja has consistently shown resilience. His current Test form, however, raises questions about his long-term place in the team. Since David Warner’s retirement, Khawaja has scored 536 runs at an average of 21.44 across 27 innings in seam-friendly conditions, including two half-centuries—a notable dip from his peak performance as one of the world’s top openers.

Selection decisions remain complex, with Travis Head’s strong performance at the top of the order and Khawaja’s recent lean returns influencing considerations. Nonetheless, there is no doubt about Khawaja’s commitment to the team or his preparation standards, as evidenced by his efforts in Perth. Whatever happens moving forward, it will not be due to a lack of effort or dedication on his part.