Image Credit- CA
Usman Khawaja took a punch to the head from Shamar
Joseph with only one run remaining in Australia’s 10-wicket triumph over the
West Indies in Adelaide, but he was initially cleared of concussion and
fractured jaw.
As he attempted to move his head away, Khawaja lost
sight of a short ball that was coming from around the wicket and was struck on
the right side of his jaw when it brushed across his chest. Before retiring
injured, the doctor examined him on the pitch.
In the locker room, Cricket Australia verified that he
had passed the initial concussion test. In order to make sure there was no
structural damage to his jaw, a scan was ordered for him. It was later verified
that the scans were clear.
In order to be approved to play in the second Test in
Brisbane, which begins on January 25, he must pass another concussion test on
Saturday. Delayed concussion is still a possibility. If he doesn’t pass, he
will go into a concussion protocol period that may last anywhere from five to
eight days, making it extremely unlikely that he will be able to play.
Australia captain Pat Cummins had spoken to Khawaja
briefly after the win. “He seems okay,” he said. “It’s a little
bit of a sore jaw. So yeah, [we’ll] monitor it but he seems okay.”
On the one day that Australia did not have a backup
batter on the pitch, Khawaja was struck in the head. Matt Renshaw was cleared
by the Australian selectors to travel to Gold Coast Friday night to represent
Brisbane Heat in the BBL Qualifier against Sydney Sixers. This was one of the
few occasions in the concussion substitution era of international cricket that
Australia did not have a backup hitter available.
Renshaw had taken off with the understanding that he
would return on Saturday morning and that he could have left for Adelaide
sooner if something important had happened.
Renshaw will play in Brisbane if Khawaja is deemed
unfit, with the latter being examined in the coming days. Renshaw’s
availability to participate in the other BBL finals will be impacted if Heat
needs him on Monday or Wednesday.