Australia have been forced into another new opening combination for their second innings against Pakistan
Khawaja injury adds to Aussie woes
Australia have made yet another change to their Test opening combination as Usman Khawaja's injury-enforced absence from the second Test against Pakistan continued in Abu Dhabi.
Khawaja hurt his left knee during Australia's warm-up on day three and did not take to the field nor open the batting late in the day after Pakistan set the visitors a mammoth 538 to win.
The batsman was sent for scans after play and will be reassessed in the morning.
Shaun Marsh lasted just six balls opening up alongside Aaron Finch in the second innings, with Khawaja not permitted to bat until two hours into Australia's second innings or until they have lost five wickets, whichever happens first.
It was the fourth different opening partnership Australia have had in as many Tests.
Cameron Bancroft and David Warner were in place for the third Test in South Africa earlier this year before their ball-tampering bans saw Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns flown over for the fourth Test in their place. Both were then dropped for the first Test against Pakistan last week with Khawaja promoted from No.3 to open with debutant Aaron Finch.
Peter Siddle wasn't sure exactly how Khawaja hurt his knee but said he was in good spirits.
"(Khawaja) was initially very flat, knowing that he can't get out there with the boys and help out," Siddle told reporters at stumps.
"But I think throughout the day he was up and about, moving around, helping us when we came in and trying to help us in the rooms.
"He's a positive guy, so fingers crossed for him and we get some good news tonight or tomorrow."
While Australia’s hopes of victory are completely shot at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Khawaja's absence from the batting crease on day three was a major blow.
The left-hander played one of the greatest hands to secure a draw in Test history in last week's series-opener in Dubai, batting for more than nearly nine hours on a wearing pitch to keep Australia's hopes alive of a first Test series win in Asia since 2011.
Khawaja has a history of left knee troubles, having been sidelined for eight months when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a freak training incident with the Sydney Thunder in December 2014.
Australia have been dealing with another significant injury concern in this match, with spearhead Mitchell Starc having bowled just three overs on day three due to left hamstring soreness.
Starc went two full sessions without bowling a ball due to the complaint before being thrown the second new ball.
The left-armer bowled in Australia's warm-ups ahead of day three but looked ginger and has spent some time in the slip cordon in a bid to preserve him.
He's in doubt for the three-match T20 series that will follow the Test campaign in the UAE, with Peter Siddle brought into the squad as cover.
Qantas Tour of the UAE
Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc
Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez
Oct 7-11: First Test, drawn
Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi