Australian opener Usman Khawaja suffered a nasty blow in the first Test against West Indies on Friday, 19th January. The Aussie, who was batting at the score of nine off 18 balls, sustained this blow in the seventh over of the second innings off Shamar Joseph’s over.
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The West Indies debutant, who was brought in to blow the seventh over, bowled a bouncer on the morning which hit the Aussie opener on the chin. The ball clattered into Khawaja’s helmet around his jaw area, leaving him with mouthful of blood. However, the 37-year-old left the field retired hurt as Marnus Labuschagne hit the winning runs replacing him to register a 10-wicket win.
Watch the video of Uman Khawaja’s nasty injury:
However, Khawaja passed the initial concussion test but was taken to the hospital for further scans. The Aussie batter will be examined again in 24 hours after the scan results. “He seems okay, just a little bit of sore haw o we will monitor it,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said. Moreover, if Khawaja remains concussed, he will be ruled out of the second Test, set to begin on Thursday, January 25th at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The Cricket Australia took to X to inform stating, "Usman Khawaja has been cleared of a fractured jaw but continues to be monitored for concussion symptoms."
Speaking of the opening Test between Australia and West Indies, the hosts registered a clinical performance with five-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood to wrap up the game in just three days.