Khawaja cleared after blow in Australia’s dominant win
- Usman Khawaja was hit on the jaw.
- Australia defeated the West Indies by 10 wickets.
- The second Test will begin in Brisbane on January 25.
Australian opener Usman Khawaja suffered a blow to the head from West Indies bowler Shamar Joseph during Australia’s 10-wicket victory in Adelaide.
The incident occurred when Australia needed just one run to win. Although Khawaja initially retired hurt after being hit on the jaw, he has been cleared of concussions and a fractured jaw.
The left-hander, who lost sight of a short ball, underwent an on-field assessment and passed an initial concussion test. Scans revealed no structural damage to his jaw.
Khawaja must pass another concussion test on Saturday to play in the second Test starting on January 25 in Brisbane, as mentioned by Australia captain Pat Cummins.
“He seems okay,” he said. “It’s a little bit of a sore jaw. So yeah, [we’ll] monitor it but he seems okay.”
Josh Hazlewood had earlier led Australia to a crushing victory over the West Indies in the first Test with an outstanding spell of seam bowling.
Hazlewood had statistics of 4-2, but bowled with almost metronomic perfection, finishing with 5-35 in the second inning.
Australia bowled out the West Indies for 120 on Friday morning, having taken a 95-run lead in the opening inning. Then, in less than seven overs, they easily reached the victory mark of 26.
Coach Andre Coley of the West Indies acknowledged that the team’s spectacular collapse in the second inning, which saw them lose 19-4, was largely the result of inexperience.
